RICHTON PARK – To provide local residents with information and assistance regarding mental health, State Senator Patrick Joyce will partner with State Senator Michael Hastings and State Representatives Anthony DeLuca and Debbie Meyers-Martin for a Mental Health Resource Fair.

“Your mental health is just as important as your physical health,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This event will be a great opportunity for residents to discover different resources available to them regarding their mental health.”

The Mental Health Resource Fair will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 5-8 p.m. at Richton Park Village Hall, located at 4455 Sauk Trail. There will be 20-minute presentations on child mental health and teen mental health, and South Suburban NAMI will be there to discuss their local resources.

Residents with questions can reach out to Joyce’s district office at 708-756-0882.

KANKAKEE – Three communities in the 40^th District will receive funding for affordable housing and community revitalization through the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program, supported by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“There are vacant properties all over the region that are not serving their purpose, communities or residents,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It’s funding like this that allows local governments to restore these neighborhoods and other community areas in order to make them purposeful once again.”

The Strong Communities Program is designed to support local revitalization efforts and attract further investment in communities that may lack the resources needed to tackle vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties.

KANKAKEE – A measure championed by State Senator Patrick Joyce earlier this year created the Recruiting and Retaining Public Employee Firefighters and Paramedics Task Force, and recently, Senate President Don Harmon appointed Joyce as co-chair of the task force along with State Representative Mike Kelly.

“For quite some time, we have seen an issue recruiting and retaining first responders for different emergencies – which is detrimental to our neighbors,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I’m ready to figure out the why, and to find solutions to tackle this shortage of workers in order to keep all of our communities safe.” 

The task force is responsible for discovering the steps Illinois can take to assist local governments to recruit and retain public employee firefighters and paramedics, consider any barriers to the process of recruitment and retention, and outline how well the state provides a pathway for qualified individuals to obtain the necessary skills needed to seek employment of these positions.

“Not having these essential positions filled is a serious problem when it comes to the safety and well-being of all Illinois residents,” said Joyce. “As a co-chair, I believe we will be able to understand the implications and bring light to the issue.”

Joyce’s appointment to the task force us effective immediately and expires January 2025.