SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patrick Joyce supported a proposal that would address the rise in synthetic opioids, along with other synthetic drugs.

“The rise in new synthetic opioids is a threat to our communities that we cannot ignore,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This legislation has taken years’ worth of work and dedication, and I am proud to see it moving in the right direction.”

Joyce is co-sponsoring the proposal, brought by the Illinois State Police, in response to the steep increase in Xylazine related drug overdoses reported in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that Xylazine related overdose deaths increased from two reported deaths in 2018, to 45 in 2020 and 155 deaths in 2021.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Patrick Joyce was sworn in to another term in the Illinois Senate Wednesday, as the 104^th General Assembly officially began.

“Illinois has some serious issues residents are facing and feeling every day, and I’m ready to get to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we deliver real solutions that improve the lives of everyone in the state,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “I will continue to be a common-sense voice down in Springfield and will always put people above party and politics.” 

Joyce, a Democrat from Essex, was appointed to the Senate in 2019 and was elected to serve his third full term in November. He represents the 40^th District, which includes portions of southern Cook County, a majority of Kankakee County, an eastern portion of Will County and southeastern Grundy County.

During his time in office, Joyce has focused on improving the agriculture industry, increasing access to health care and lowering property taxes.

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.

PARK FOREST – As the temperatures begin to drop, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging drivers to utilize the winter road conditions map on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Getting Around Illinois website.

“Before hopping in the car this winter, be sure to check the current road conditions beforehand with IDOT’s road map,” Joyce said. “If everyone on the road takes advantage of this resource, we’ll see fewer crashers and reduce delay times.”

Previously, the map displayed conditions by county. New this year, the map shows how weather events are impacting roads, including the ability to identify and zoom in to a location, travel route or destination with current information recorded by plow drivers.

People can interact with the map to understand how weather events are affecting roads across the state. The winter road conditions map is available on IDOT’s website.