Joyce plan to address Illinois teacher shortage passes Senate

• SB 1989

SPRINGFIELD – To eliminate the teacher shortage in Illinois, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a plan out of the Senate Friday to increase the number of hours a retired teacher may work without impairing their retirement status.

“The teacher shortage in Illinois predated COVID-19, and as we see more school districts return to in-person learning, some will be faced with challenges in hiring substitute teachers,” Joyce said. “This legislation will ensure schools have the most qualified professionals to teach our children.”

Currently, Illinois law allows retired teachers to substitute teach for up to 120 days or 600 hours without jeopardizing their retirement status. Because retired teachers often return to work as substitute teachers, Joyce’s initiative would create a yearly, rather than lifetime limit: Retired teachers could substitute teach for 100 days or 500 hours each school year beginning July 1, 2023.

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"Hayli’s Law” clears Senate in victory for young entrepreneurs

• Hayli's law
• SB 119

SPRINGFIELD – An initiative by State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) to prevent children’s lemonade stands from being shut down for not having a permit cleared the Illinois Senate Wednesday. 

The legislation was inspired by 12-year-old Hayli Martinez, whose lemonade stand in Kankakee was flagged by local officials and shut down.

“I once was a kid with a dream to own a business, and the current law discourages our young entrepreneurs – it’s time to stick up for them,” Joyce said. “Opening a lemonade stand is a rite of passage for any child – this legislation allows our youth to be innovative while making some extra money.”
 
Under this measure, the Illinois Department of Public Health, a local health department or public health district could not regulate the sale of lemonade or non-alcoholic drinks or mixed beverages by a person under the age of 16 years. This bill would also prevent authorities from requiring a permit for children to sell lemonade on private properties or in a public park.

Joyce introduced this legislation in 2020 after hearing Hayli’s story from a concerned constituent. The measure lost momentum due to the pandemic, but Joyce reintroduced it this year.

Senate Bill 119 passed the Illinois Senate and heads to the Illinois House for further debate. 

Joyce celebrates 51st Annual Agriculture Legislative Day at Capitol

• Agriculture
• Agriculture Legislative Day
• SB 1657
• SB 1658

SPRINGFIELD – In honor of the 51st Annual Illinois Agriculture Legislative Day, Senate Agriculture Chairman Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) connected with farmers, agricultural organizations and other industry stakeholders virtually Wednesday.

“Agriculture is our state’s number-one industry, and as chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee, supporting its progress is one of my top priorities,” Joyce said. “I firmly believe we must do all we can to support our farmers who are out there every day making a difference.”

The day-long event, organized by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, provides groups the opportunity to raise awareness of industry-related issues and educate legislators about the role of agribusiness in the community. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Joyce connected with these groups virtually.

“Agriculture is vital to our state’s economy, and I take pride in being a voice for the industry in the General Assembly,” Joyce said. “It was rewarding to see all these groups get involved and participate virtually today.”

Joyce, who is dedicated to helping farmers and the agriculture industry, is working with the Department of Agriculture on several measures this legislative session, including Senate Bill 1657 and Senate Bill 1658. Both pieces of legislation passed the Senate Agriculture Committee and await further consideration by the full Senate.

Joyce moves measure to boost demand for Illinois soybean crops

• Agriculture
• Biodiesel
• SB2394

SPRINGFIELD – To benefit Illinois farmers and help reduce the state’s dependence on foreign fuel sources, Senate Agriculture Chair Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure that aims to create a statewide renewable fuel standard which would require biodiesel for transportation fuel beginning in 2024.

“The demand for biodiesel is growing quickly, and it’s important that Illinois keeps up,” Joyce said. “Biodiesel offers environmental and performance benefits, as well as an economic boost for our farmers.”

Senate Bill 2394 is an initiative of the Illinois Soybean Association and would require diesel sold within the state for use in internal combustion engines to be at least 5% biodiesel fuel oil by volume prior to July 1, 2024, and 20% after that. Certain exemptions would be allowed, including for fuel used in locomotives, marine engines and for power generation.

“Transitioning to biodiesel is not only better for the environment—it also puts money back into local farmers’ pockets,” Joyce said. “As we invest in greener technologies, it’s important that we find ways to keep Illinois dollars in Illinois.”

Senate Bill 2394 passed the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday and awaits further consideration.