Welcome to Senator Patrick Joyce's legislative website

Joyce measure to expand mental health counseling to coroners signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – County coroners and medical examiners will soon be able to receive mental health counseling if needed, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce that was signed into law.

“This is a great step forward for our local coroners,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Coroners and medical examiners are key members of our investigative system and deserved to be taken care of.”

Senate Bill 2770 will add coroners, deputy coroners, county medical examiners and deputy county medical examiners to the definition of first responders for the purpose of providing them mental health counseling without any cost-sharing.

Coroners and medical examiners, like other first responders, are regularly exposed to traumatic scenes. This law will ensure they have access to no-cost mental health counseling, promoting workforce well-being and retention. Joyce worked closely with the Will County Coroner’s Office to implement this legislation.

“This is such an important step for our field,” said Will County Coroner Laurie Summers. “Medical examiners and coroners deserve the ability to seek mental support with privacy and without barriers. I would like to thank Senator Joyce for following through on his commitment to support my staff and coroner’s across the state.”

Read more: Joyce measure to expand mental health counseling to coroners signed into law

Joyce encourages municipalities, park districts to apply for IDNR grant

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce is urging park districts and municipalities in the 40th District to apply for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant.

“Everyone in the community benefits when parks are kept in good shape,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I encourage all those in the 40th District with projects in the works to apply before the coming deadline.”

This year, $37.5 million in grant funding is available for qualifying applicants. IDNR will provide funding to cover 90% of eligible projects in underserved communities. Eligible projects can include development or renovation of picnic tables, playgrounds, fishing piers, sports courts/fields, park paths and more.

Communities whose parks have been damaged as a result of severe weather are encouraged to apply as well.

Read more: Joyce encourages municipalities, park districts to apply for IDNR grant

Joyce secures over $385,000 for local libraries

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced 21 public libraries and school districts across the 40th District are set to receive more than $385,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.

“For years, our local libraries have continued to bring people together,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Libraries are not just places you go to check out books. They are also pillars in building tight-knit communities.”

More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Read more: Joyce secures over $385,000 for local libraries

Joyce funeral industry oversight legislation signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – In Feb. 2025, a whistleblower came forward sharing pictures and describing a gruesome scene at Crown Cremations and Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights ─ prompting an investigation from the Office of the Comptroller that discovered the crematorium improperly stored over 100 bodies.  In response, State Senator Patrick Joyce worked to expand the comptroller’s ability to investigate crematory’s operations.

“By bringing together both the comptroller’s office and the funeral industry, we were able to craft legislation that allows crematoriums to operate successfully and ethically,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “When you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, the last thing you should have to worry about is how their remains are treated.”

House Bill 4695 will expand the comptroller's ability to investigate a licensed crematory, its records or any other aspects of crematory operation the comptroller deems appropriate. It will permit the comptroller to perform an unannounced inspection of the premises. As part of its investigations, if the comptroller finds any violation or wrongdoing under the grounds for dismissal that constitute an imminent danger to the public, the comptroller will be able to suspend the crematory’s license. The law will also implement additional penalties for violations.

Read more: Joyce funeral industry oversight legislation signed into law