Park Forest — In a letter sent earlier today, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) called on the governor to move Kankakee and Grundy Counties into another region in his COVID-19 reopening plan.

“Kankakee and Grundy Counties are largely rural, with very few large towns and much smaller cities,” Joyce said. “Not many people live in Kankakee and commute to Chicago. They don’t need to wait until Chicago and Cook County’s COVID-19 numbers go down before reopening.”

Joyce’s letter emphasized that Grundy County has a population of approximately 50,000 and that residents of both counties lead more similar lives to the more rural counties around them than to Cook and the collar counties.

“I also represent suburban Cook County, and I understand why those communities are in the same region as Chicago. They’re in the same county,” Joyce said. “For Kankakee and Grundy Counties, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Even before the governor announced his reopening plan, Joyce called for more local control over the reopening process. For example, he joined several of his colleagues in petitioning the governor to grant local health departments the authority to allow small local retailers to reopen with the same restrictions as big box stores.

“Our reopening plans have to be based on the best advice of medical professionals and scientists. The governor and I agree on that point,” Joyce said. “However, for the sake of people’s mental and financial health, I don’t think any community should stay closed longer than absolutely necessary.”

In the letter, Joyce also encouraged the governor to allow Will County to be its own region. Joyce represents a small, rural portion of Will County.

PARK FOREST – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many companies are using their manufacturing capabilities to make disinfectant products to distribute to frontline heroes. A local example is Essations Inc., a hair and skin care product company located in Park Forest  that turned its production lines to hand sanitizer.

However, Essations Inc. found itself with a dwindling supply of alcohol  – the most important ingredient in hand sanitizer. Stephanie Luster, the company’s president and director of Education, contacted State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) for help. Sen. Joyce quickly reached out to multiple state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

“Stephanie Luster and Essations are taking exactly the initiative we need right now,” Joyce said. “I was eager to help her small business continue operations and bring much needed hand sanitizer to the members of our community.”

Sen. Joyce contacted Dept. of Ag. Director Jerry Costello, who called the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center. NCERC Executive Director John Caupert agreed to help find an ethanol biorefinery that could help Essations continue producing hand sanitizer.

“The only way we’ll get through this difficult time is by supporting each other,” Joyce said. “I want to thank all of the companies and individuals who worked together to help connect Essations and Adkins Energy.”

Once Luster confirmed  the volume of ethanol needed and the best method of delivery, Caupert contacted Ray Baker, General Manager of Adkins Energy in Lena, Illinois. Adkins Energy agreed to partner with Essations to ensure hand sanitizer production continued in Park Forest.

“Director of Agriculture Jerry Costello is someone I admire and respect very much, so I was eager to help when he said I would likely be contacted by Illinois State Senator Pat Joyce,” said NCERC Director Caupert. “Senator Joyce, like me, is a farm boy, and farmers rally to assist and support each other. From one farm boy to another, I couldn’t wait to assist Senator Joyce’s constituent, in whatever way I possibly could.”

With the help of a local chapter of the Teamsters Union, who volunteered to make sure the project was a success, the first shipment of ethanol went out on Friday, April 17.

PARK FOREST — In these uncertain times, we all have a lot of questions. As a state senator, Patrick Joyce strives to keep everyone updated with the most useful and accurate information.

“My most important job is to inform residents about resources that can help them during this hard and uncertain time,” said Joyce, a Democrat from Essex. “My office is working around the clock to address all questions and concerns our community has.”

Sen. Joyce’s district office is adhering to the Stay at Home Order, and all staff is working remotely. However, phone calls are forwarded and emails are still being answered.

If people need help identifying an entity to help with unemployment, food, shelter and other topics that can be difficult to navigate, Senator Joyce’s office is happy to help. It can be reached by calling the district office at (807) 756-0882, the Springfield office at (217) 782-7419 or emailing here.

To get the most up-to-date information relating to COVID-19 straight to their inbox, people are encouraged to sign up for Senator Joyce’s newsletter here. The Illinois Senate Democrats also recently rolled out a COVID-19 webpage, which outlines closures, family resources, the governor’s daily briefing and more. To find it, click here.

PARK FOREST - Unfortunately, many scamming predators take advantage of troubled to seek new victims, especially seniors. State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) urges everyone to use their best judgement when responding to personal information and money requests.

“I know these are very difficult times, however, please try to stay calm and only trust information coming from reliable sources, professionals and elected officials,” Joyce said. “In general, the government and health professionals won’t ask for personal information via email or over the phone, unless you initiate the call.”

Attorney General Kwame Raoul said attorneys general from across the nation have seen an increase in reports of people posing as charitable organizations or public health agencies. Those scams, according to Raoul, include cyber scams, telephone and text-messaging scams, counterfeit product offers, bogus door-to-door offers of tests and products related to the coronavirus, and solicitations for donations to phony charities.

Some of the most common scams seen by Raoul include:

•   Emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and other health care organizations, offering to share information about the virus.

•   Emails asking for the verification of personal data, including Medicare or Medicaid information, in exchange for receiving economic stimulus funds or other benefits from the government.

•   Email phishing scams, text messages from unknown sources which may include hyperlinks to what appear to be automated pandemic updates, or interactive infection maps.

•   COVID-19 vaccinations and home test kits that are made online, in stores, through electronic messages or over the phone.

For more information or to report scams connected to COVID-19, please visit the attorney general’s website: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/​.

PARK FOREST – Because the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Illinois, Governor Pritzker issued an extension of the Stay at Home Order until the end of April. With many people suffering from stress and anxiety due to COVID-19, financial challenges, and social isolation, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) wants to share resources with the community on how to manage their mental health while staying safe.

“Maintaining good mental health is vital during these trying times,” Joyce said. “Please know that you are not alone and there are resources available to help.”

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has a Will/Grundy County hotline that also serves Kankakee County at (815)-731-9103 and a textline for support. Text NAMI to 741741 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.

SPRINGFIELD – The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity  is now accepting applications from local governments, non-profit groups, and even private companies for a an $80 million economic development grant program, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced.

DCEO will allow organizations to compete for $50 million in public infrastructure investments, $16.5 million in regional economic development projects and $13 million for shovel-ready construction projects. Only local governments can apply for the public infrastructure grants, but the other programs are also open to local organizations and businesses.

Projects that may include improvements to utility lines and waste disposal systems, land and building acquisition, and architectural planning and engineering design.

“The projects funded by these grants could attract businesses and jobs to the South Lands,” Joyce said. “These grants are competitive, so I encourage as many local groups to apply as possible.”

Through a competitive selection process, DCEO will distribute funding to local governments to support projects that will help generate jobs, expand economic opportunity and encourage new development.

Applications for public infrastructure grants must be submitted by June 30, but others will be accepted on a rolling basis. Available grants, project guidelines and application materials can be found here.