KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce is urging agencies across the 40^th District to apply for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants.

“It is important our local parks are getting the attention they need to stay safe and accessible to residents,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The OSLAD program is a great way to invest in these areas to keep them thriving. I encourage local agencies to apply for the program so people can continue to enjoy the outdoors.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31.

The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. A total of $56 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. In addition, IDNR will once again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities.

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 and should be submitted to IDNR. For more information on the OSLAD program, visit IDNR’s website.

WILMINGTON– State Senator Patrick Joyce, State Representative Anthony DeLuca and Will County Board member Joe Van Duyne announced over $54 million to improve Route 53 over the next six years.  

“One of the most common things I hear in Wilmington is that Route 53 needs to be fixed,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Fixing Route 53 is very important to communities in this area, as it goes right through downtown and people use it to get to work. I will continue to work to bring tax dollars back to our area.”

Villages and municipalities along Route 53, including Gardner, Braceville, Godley, Braidwood, Wilmington and up to Joliet will see $54 million spent over the next six years for improvements.

“It is high time that we make the proper investment to fix these roads,” said State Representative Anthony DeLuca. “We can accomplish so much when state and local government works together to achieve a solution.” 

KANKAKEE – With support from State Senator Patrick Joyce, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced more than $1.4 billion in state and local highway road improvements for the 40^th District.

“To meet the demands of the present and the future, it is important we are maintaining our roads and bridges,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “The 40^th District will see much needed roadway improvements in the coming years that will be a win-win for everyone.”

As part of IDOT’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois, the district Joyce represents will see 90 infrastructure projects totaling more than $1.4 billion over the next six years.

Some of the most vital projects coming to the area include:

• Over $50.5 million in miscellaneous improvements along IL 53
• Preservation of pavements in Chicago Heights at US 30 and 14^th Street
• Interchange reconstruction and bridge replacement on I 57 at US 45/52 in Kankakee

These projects are part of IDOT’s multi-year plan, a $40 billion investment in construction projects for the next six fiscal years. The project invest in all modes of transportation: roads and bridges, aviation, transit, freight and passenger rail, waterways, as well as bicycle and pedestrian accommodations.

“I want to ensure our district stays connected, and there’s no better way for that to happen than significant improvements in infrastructure,” said Joyce “Not only are safer roads underway, but so are more job opportunities and increased economic development.”

To find a full list of projects slated for the 40^th Senate District, visit IDOT’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – State employees will now be able to take time off for firefighter training thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“There are many communities in the state that rely on volunteer firefighters,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “If we continue to see a shortage in the number of volunteer firefighters, we are leaving these communities extremely vulnerable and without the immediate assistance they need.”

Fire departments across the state have faced a shortage of new recruits and volunteer firefighters in recent years. The new law aims to combat these shortages to give people the opportunity to undergo firefighter training courses by creating the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. This will allow state employees to take a leave from their job to attend firefighter training.

“Low numbers of volunteers are posing a major threat to public safety, especially in small towns and rural areas,” said Joyce. “This is a small step in the right direction in our efforts to recruit more volunteer firefighters and making sure all communities in Illinois are protected.”

Senate Bill 1611 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.