Joyce encourages qualified residents to apply for energy bill assistance

• LIHEAP
• Energy
• Assistance

KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce is urging qualified residents to apply for this year’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help with utility costs. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024.

“As we approach the colder months, electricity bills tend to become higher,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Access to affordable energy is a necessity, and this program ensures that families facing financial hardships can keep their homes safe and comfortable.”

The energy bill assistance program offered through the Help Illinois Families Program in program year 2023 will provide $237 million to eligible families to assist with natural gas, propane and electricity bills. Last year's LIHEAP funding — which was available from September 2022 through May 2023 — provided assistance to a record number of 311,214 households.

Read more: Joyce encourages qualified residents to apply for energy bill assistance

Joyce applauds new business, increasing employment opportunities in Kankakee County

MANTENO – State Senator Patrick Joyce joined community stakeholders and fellow elected officials to announce a new $2 billion electric vehicle battery gigafactory coming to Kankakee County.

“Gotion could not have picked a better place for this new factory,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This is a huge investment in Kankakee County, and will result in good-paying jobs for residents.  This is a huge win for our region.”

Gotion’s new state-of-the-art EV battery plant will help bolster the supply chain and meet growing demand for batteries across the EV sector, including Gotion’s partners, as well as additional EV manufacturers across North America. The facility will focus on lithium-ion battery cell, battery pack production and energy storage system integration, and is expected to begin production in 2024.

As part of Illinois’ commitment to build out comprehensive EV hubs and support Illinois’ workforce, the state will also fund a new manufacturing training academy nearby as well as award an additional grant to workforce providers to expand training and prepare regional employees for the new jobs. The historic company investment will create over 2,600 new good-paying jobs in Manteno.

"This announcement is a huge win for Manteno, Kankakee County, and the State of Illinois, and will only enhance and strengthen our robust manufacturing sector,” said Timothy O. Nugent, Mayor of Manteno.

Joyce announces over $2.8 million in evidence-based funding for Kankakee and Grundy County schools

KANKAKEE— State Senator Patrick Joyce announced that nine school districts across the Kankakee and Grundy County areas will receive over $2.8 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Our children deserve the opportunity to be successful,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Through this funding formula we are providing our schools with the tools to ensure students receive a quality education regardless of their ZIP code or financial background.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Read more: Joyce announces over $2.8 million in evidence-based funding for Kankakee and Grundy County schools

Joyce: Will County schools to receive over $2.8 million in evidence-based funding

KANKAKEE— State Senator Patrick Joyce announced that four school districts across the Will County area will receive over $2.8 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Our students are able to learn better and more efficiently when schools are provided with funding like this,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Whether schools need new technologies, enhanced learning programs or infrastructure improvements, this funding will provide schools with financial relief to operate successfully and deliver the education our students deserve.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Read more: Joyce: Will County schools to receive over $2.8 million in evidence-based funding