Joyce-sponsored bill to lower license fees for small trailers signed into law

• SB 58
• Trailer Plate

PARK FOREST – Registration fees for small trailers will be $36, a significant decrease from the current $118, thanks to a new law backed by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex).

“After speaking with many constituents who were having trouble renewing licenses for their small trailers, I became a lead co-sponsor of this new law to create a more reasonable registration system,” Joyce said.

The new law classifies all trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less as “utility trailers” and sets the utility trailer registration fee at $36. Fees were increased on these trailers in 2019 as a part of the Rebuild Illinois capital infrastructure plan.

The measure applies only to trailers primarily designated for personal use.

The legislation also removes the $10,000 cap on sales tax credits on vehicle trade-ins. The cap, which has been in effect since 2020, required sales tax to be applied to any trade-in with a value above $10,000, costing residents hundreds of dollars more when purchasing a new vehicle.

“By reversing the fee hike on one class of trailer license plates, we can give Illinois residents the chance to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets,” Joyce said. “Drivers can finally breathe a sigh of relief under this new law.”

The legislation – Senate Bill 58 – was signed into law Friday and takes effect immediately.

Joyce calls for action to pass a responsible energy package

• Energy

MORRIS – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) remains a strong advocate for creating a responsible energy package that will protect jobs and secure Illinois’ clean energy future.

“Closing our nuclear plants is something our communities cannot afford or survive—the cost of doing nothing at this crucial time is simply too great,” Joyce said. “With so much at stake, it’s vital that we act now to protect workers who will lose their livelihoods if we don’t take action soon.”

In 2020, Exelon announced it planned to close two Illinois nuclear power plants because of a drop in revenue and energy costs. Immediately after the announcement, state lawmakers began work on an energy bill they hope will keep the plant open, but discussions are still ongoing.

Read more: Joyce calls for action to pass a responsible energy package

New Joyce law makes residents’ voices heard on neighborhood school closures

• education
• HB 1785

PARK FOREST – After hearing from residents who felt helpless when Rich East High School closed their doors in 2020, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) sponsored a new law to prevent neighborhood schools from closing without public input.

“The closure of Rich East High School left many households angry because the decision left residents’ voices unheard, even though it affected their kids and the communities they live in,” Joyce said. “With this new law, residents will have the chance to offer feedback on decisions that would impact the lives of students, families and educators.”

In 2019, District 227 was faced with the decision to close one or more of their three schools due to a lack of funding, declining enrollment and aging facilities. The Rich Township High School District in Cook County voted to close Rich East High School, which served Matteson, Park Forest, Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights and Richton Park residents. This decision forced these students to move to either Rich Central or Rich South High Schools.

Joyce understood that many people in the community were upset by the closure and that Rich East families felt left out of the decision-making process, motivating him to introduce legislation to change the way school boards handle such decisions.

Read more: New Joyce law makes residents’ voices heard on neighborhood school closures

Sims, Joyce and Hastings urge contractors to participate in upcoming Women & Minority Contractor Workshop

• Events
• Capital Development Board
• Women & Minority Contractor Workshop

PARK FOREST – State Senators Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), Elgie Sims Jr. (D-Chicago) and Michael E. Hastings (D-Frankfort) are inviting local minority contractors to participate in an informational discussion to learn how to conduct business with the Illinois Capital Development Board.

The virtual workshop will take place Thursday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m.

“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future that we want for everyone,” said Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “We have to ensure that we are providing a fair and inclusive environment to support diversity efforts in the construction industries. This way we develop a framework that generates economic growth for the entire state.”

Read more: Sims, Joyce and Hastings urge contractors to participate in upcoming Women & Minority Contractor...