Joyce measure to tackle Illinois teacher shortage signed into law

• education

SPRINGFIELD – A comprehensive proposal by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) aimed at eliminating Illinois’ teacher shortage was signed into law Friday.

“This new law offers additional strategies to address the ongoing teacher shortage,” Joyce said. “I have supported a host of measures throughout the last three years that have led to the teacher workforce in Illinois to continue to grow year-over-year.”

Joyce’s initiative will increase the amount of days substitute teachers can stay in the classroom from 90 days to 120. This law helps keep long-term substitute teachers in the same classroom, instead of having to teach lessons they are less familiar with after 90 days. This also prevents subs from having to move around to a different school district after 90 days, and allows for comfortability and familiarity with students.

This Joyce initiative combined with other strategies passed in previous years, which include raising the minimum wage for teachers to $40,000 per year and increasing funding for teacher preparation programs, aim to alleviate the teacher shortage felt across the nation.

“In order to address the teacher shortage, we need to keep student’s needs in mind,” Joyce said. “This law will allows substitutes to stay in the same classroom for longer, giving students more consistency.”

The legislation – Senate Bill 3893 – was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

Joyce proposal will maximize federal dollars for broadband expansion

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) to increase Illinois’ ability to capture federal funding for broadband under the federal Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act was signed into law on Tuesday.

“Bringing access to internet to every citizen in Illinois is crucial,” Joyce said. “This initiative helps Illinois capture up to $1.6 billion in federal dollars to expand broadband services.”

The intent of this legislation is to bring more legislative oversight and allow for public input on where best to allocate broadband funding. Joyce put forth the proposal earlier in session, which was then put in the final BIMP bill.

“Striking a balance in closing the digital divide between both unserved and underserved areas will give our children access to more opportunities and put them on a path for success,” Joyce said.

House Bill 4700 is effective immediately.

Joyce announces grant of $26,000 to South Wilmington Fire Department

SOUTH WILMINGTON – The South Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department will receive $26,000 in state funding for new equipment, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Thursday.

“Local fire departments are often times underfunded and have to raise money on their own,” Joyce said. “These grants will help South Wilmington purchase lifesaving equipment, so they can better respond to emergencies in our community.” 

South Wilmington Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $26,000 through the Small Equipment Grant Program.  

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded the grant to give Illinois first responders the opportunity to replace or upgrade aging equipment they may otherwise not be able to purchase.

“We are using the small equipment grant funds for three portable radios which enhance our line of communication with dispatch and other agencies,” said South Wilmington Fire Chief Monti Serena.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal awarded a total of $2.5 million to 104 fire departments, districts and EMS providers across the state.

DeLuca, Joyce: Southland Reactivation Act to revitalize our community

SPRINGFIELD – The Southland Reactivation Act, championed by State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) and State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), passed the Illinois Senate on Friday.

“This will help bring new business to the Southland by incentivizing the revitalization of commonly overlooked properties,” Joyce said. “This legislation is a major victory for our Southland community.”

The act would create a tax abatement incentive to property developers who purchase commercial and industrial property in the Southland. The bill targets commercial and industrial properties that have shown a clear pattern of economic stagnation or decline of real estate taxes as a result of depressed conditions. The property must be located in Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Rich, Thornton or Worth Townships in Cook County.

“The Southland Reactivation Act is an exciting economic tool we can use to attract investment to our community,” DeLuca said. “By encouraging businesses to move into the area and create jobs, we’ll create an environment that expands the local tax base and drives down property tax costs on homeowners.”

Identified properties that meet qualifying criteria would be assessed at 50% of the last known equalized assessed value. For the first year a property is certified as a southland reactivation property, the aggregate tax bill liability for the property cannot exceed $100,000. Discounts on the liability would decrease gradually, but continue for a total of 12 years.

 “South suburban municipalities are thrilled with the passage of the Southland Reactivation Act and look forward to having a new economic development tool in our toolkit to get tax exempt and long vacant commercial and industrial property back on the tax rolls”, said Kristi DeLaurentiis, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Executive Director. “This innovative law will allow communities to address blight and bring in new investment, new jobs, economic recovery and tax base growth benefitting everyone.”

The Southland Reactivation Act is contained in Senate Bill 3189. The legislation passed the Illinois Senate and now heads to the governor for further action.