KANKAKEE – In an effort to address the ongoing teacher shortage, State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois State Board of Education in announcing $7.4 million in funding for grants to help prepare high school students for careers in education.

“Teachers are assets to our children and schools,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We need career and technical education programs so our state has valuable educators who care about the future of our students.”

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathway Grants aim to address the teacher shortage by preparing high school students for careers in education through hands-on experiences. The three-year grants — which were awarded primarily to rural, understaffed and underfunded areas — also strive to increase diversity within the state’s teacher workforce. 

ISBE provided $24.8 million through previous rounds, serving nearly 12,000 Illinois high school students across 212 school districts and three community colleges. This round of grants was awarded to 18 entities, serving 39 school districts. Kankakee Area Regional Vocational Education System, located in Joyce’s District, is set to receive funding from the grant program.

KANKAKEE — State Senator Patrick Joyce announced that 20 school districts across the 40^th District will receive over $11 million in funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Evidence-based funding continues to show our state’s testament to provide quality education to our students,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This funding helps provide schools with the best resources possible to ensure we are giving all students a chance to succeed.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $15 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development program, including more than $410,000 for Kankakee County.

“Programs like JTED ensure we have a well-equipped workforce while also providing opportunities for folks who have had a hard time finding employment,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “We are providing people with education, skills and training that will benefit them in the long run which will in turn help our communities and lead to a prosperous economy.”

The Job Training and Economic Development program provides workforce training and wraparound services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. Funds from this program aim to address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are underemployed, unemployed or underrepresented who have one or more barriers to employment that are identified as risk factors.

This is the second round of funding from the JTED program, awarding over $15 million to 33 organizations across Illinois. Kankakee County, which falls within Joyce’s district, is set to receive over $410,000 from the program.

“The continued success of the JTED program is a testament to the importance of intentional investments in Illinois’ world-class workforce,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “This funding will support services to underemployed, unemployed and underrepresented communities and provide individuals access to good paying job opportunities.”

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Office of the State Fire Marshal in announcing applications are now being accepted for the Small Equipment Grant Program.

“When first responders have access to new or updated equipment, it allows them to perform their jobs better,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This grant program helps ensure these services are receiving the support they need to protect our communities.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program assists fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those experiencing difficulty in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The grants allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small tools and equipment they may otherwise not be able to afford.

A total of $4 million in funding will be available through this year’s program to eligible fire departments and EMS services. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM electronically or postmarked no later than Oct. 1, 2024.

For more information or to fill out an application, visit the OSFM’s website.