Welcome to Senator Patrick Joyce's legislative website

Joyce announces grant funding to promote tourism in Kankakee County

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced $18,000 in grant funding is being awarded to Kankakee County to attract visitors and support tourism in the region.

“Kankakee County is home to some wonderful attractions and local businesses that Illinois residents, or out-of-state visitors, may not be aware of,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “What this funding will do is get the word out there and put Kankakee County on the map for visitors in the future.”

Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc. was awarded $18,000 to provide monthly camera shoots and full-production shoots creating a library of videos to promote county attractions, events, outdoor recreation, restaurants, lodging properties and locally owned businesses.  Videos will be used across social media, digital advertising, websites, email campaigns, public relations and partner promotions.

Read more: Joyce announces grant funding to promote tourism in Kankakee County

Joyce encourages families to apply for energy bill assistance

KANKAKEE – To combat rising energy prices, State Senator Patrick Joyce encourages eligible families in the 40th District to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“Fall is here and temperatures starting to drop, with that we will see utility costs start to rise” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Families need to be aware of the support systems that are out there.”

The LIHEAP program – which opens Oct. 1 – utilizes a priority application system to ensure that families most in need can apply first. All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted. Families who earn up to two times the federal poverty level are eligible to receive support through LIHEAP. A chart with the eligible income thresholds can be found here.

Read more: Joyce encourages families to apply for energy bill assistance

Joyce celebrates grand opening of Voortman Steel USA Headquarters in Monee

MONEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined Voortman Steel Machinery leadership, Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s $51 million expansion project in Monee.

“I am glad to say that this state has fully backed what we are seeing today,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is our third major project in this manufacturing corridor. The Voortman Headquarters will be in this community for generations to come, and that’s something to be proud of.”

Voortman Steel Machinery is housed in a one million square foot state-of-the-art facility in the Netherlands, employing over 550 people. They have grown into a leading machine manufacturer for plate, beam and pipe steel processing machines. For the last 20 years, Voortman Steel has been assembling steel, building up supply chains and creating jobs in Illinois. With the completion of the Monee facility, Illinois continues to build on its position as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

Read more: Joyce celebrates grand opening of Voortman Steel USA Headquarters in Monee

Joyce announces additional funding to prevent food insecurity

• Grants
• Grocery Initiative

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced new funding is available under the Illinois Grocery Initiative through the New Stores in Food Deserts, Equipment Upgrades and Grocery Rescue grant programs – representing a $26 million effort to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in communities across the state.

“It is crucial that we combat food insecurity, and the additional funding to eliminate food deserts in our community does just that,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This program has been successful in the past and this new round of funding is crucial to ensuring our communities remain healthy.”

Read more: Joyce announces additional funding to prevent food insecurity