SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce helped champion a new law that will combat food deserts across the state.

“The number of food deserts has increasingly gotten worse over the last few years,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “There is no reason why rural and urban residents should not have easy access to affordable foods.”

Under the new law, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. This aims to help mitigate the issue of food deserts across the state. An area is considered a food desert when urban residents have to travel more than a half-mile and rural residents more than 10 miles to get to the nearest grocery store.

Joyce served as a chief cosponsor on the measure.

“Food deserts disproportionately affect lower income communities, causing poor nutrition and health issues,” said Joyce. “By addressing these concerns, we can help promote a healthier lifestyle and improve overall health and well-being for all residents.”

Senate Bill 850 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing the latest round of Back to Business grants for restaurants in the 40^th District.

“Restaurants were hit hard during the pandemic, and it has been difficult for some to bounce back,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is a great grant program that puts local businesses, like restaurants, back on their feet after facing tougher times the last few years.”

The Back to Business grant program provides recovery grants for small businesses throughout the state, with an emphasis on businesses in the hardest hit industries. Through the Back to Business and Business Interruption Grant programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.

Five restaurants in Joyce’s district will receive a combined total of $205,000 through this round of Back to Business grants.

“These small businesses fuel our economy and are important to each region around the state,” said Joyce. “It’s great to see businesses return to normal again, and a lot of them would not be able to if it weren’t for financial assistance and support from community members.”

For more information about B2B grants visit DCEO’s website.

BRACEVILLE – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced that the Village of Braceville is set to receive $650,000 in funding through the Community Development Block Grant for Housing Rehabilitation.

“Keeping up with routine maintenance for homes can be unexpected and costly at times,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “These funds will ensure residents will be able to make improvements to their homes to provide a safe place to live.”

Housing rehabilitation grants are designed to assist low-to-moderate income homeowners with improvements to ensure safe and sanitary living conditions. The Community Development Block Grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These state-administered funds are designated exclusively for non-metropolitan communities that do not receive Community Development Block Grant entitlement funding from HUD.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding a combined $8.4 million for 13 communities, including Braceville, to invest in 135 housing improvement projects.

“I appreciate Senator Joyce's support of grant programs like these. It's great to have a senator who understands the needs of smaller communities like Braceville,” said Braceville Mayor Dave Wright. “The grant will allow us to help residents in need of home repairs across the village.”

To see a full list of grants awarded, click here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce championed a new law that creates an easier process to obtain a hunting, fishing, trapping and sportsmen license.

“For those who hunt, fish or trap, the process of renewing your license every year can be a burden and time-consuming,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “It makes sense to allow a three-year license option for these activities.”

The new law allows Illinois residents to obtain a three-year fishing, hunting, sportsmen’s combination or trapping license at three times the cost of an annual one. Previously, people were required to renew their license for these activities every year.

“The convenience of this new law is one thing, but it’s also improving our state’s conservation,” said Joyce. “I am glad to be a part of this commonsense change that will make the process easier for hunters and fishers across our state.”

House Bill 3677 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.