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.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce is urging qualified residents to apply for this year’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help with utility costs. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024.

“As we approach the colder months, electricity bills tend to become higher,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Access to affordable energy is a necessity, and this program ensures that families facing financial hardships can keep their homes safe and comfortable.”

The energy bill assistance program offered through the Help Illinois Families Program in program year 2023 will provide $237 million to eligible families to assist with natural gas, propane and electricity bills. Last year's LIHEAP funding — which was available from September 2022 through May 2023 — provided assistance to a record number of 311,214 households.

MANTENO – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined community stakeholders and fellow elected officials to announce a new $2 billion electric vehicle battery gigafactory coming to Kankakee County.

“Gotion could not have picked a better place for this new factory,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is a huge investment in Kankakee County, and will result in good-paying jobs for residents.  This is a huge win for our region.”

Gotion’s new state-of-the-art EV battery plant will help bolster the supply chain and meet growing demand for batteries across the EV sector, including Gotion’s partners, as well as additional EV manufacturers across North America. The facility will focus on lithium-ion battery cell, battery pack production and energy storage system integration, and is expected to begin production in 2024.

As part of Illinois’ commitment to build out comprehensive EV hubs and support Illinois’ workforce, the state will also fund a new manufacturing training academy nearby as well as award an additional grant to workforce providers to expand training and prepare regional employees for the new jobs. The historic company investment will create over 2,600 new good-paying jobs in Manteno.

"This announcement is a huge win for Manteno, Kankakee County, and the State of Illinois, and will only enhance and strengthen our robust manufacturing sector,” said Timothy O. Nugent, Mayor of Manteno.