PARK FOREST - In celebration of National Women’s Small Business Month, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is encouraging residents to nominate local female business owners to recognize for their leadership and service to residents.

“This is a great time to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of female entrepreneurs, as well as raise awareness of the importance of women-owned businesses,” Joyce said. “My goal this month is to shine a spotlight on those businesses and business owners.”

Nominations can be submitted to Sen. Joyce’s office by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and providing a name, business title and reason for recognition.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is hosting a series of webinars specifically targeted to female small business owners to offer support and resources for success. For more information, visit DCEO’s website.

“As the holiday season nears, supporting small businesses is a terrific way to find unique gifts while supporting our local economy,” Joyce said.

PARK FOREST – State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced the Godley Public Water District will receive a $500,000 grant to improve water security for Will and Grundy Counties under this year’s state budget for capital infrastructure improvements. 

“Improving our water infrastructure improves the quality of life and public health in our communities,” Joyce said. “I am proud to support these investments as they demonstrate our continued commitment and effort to modernize our local water resources.”

This funding puts the Water District on track to construct a water intake from the Kankakee River to improve water reliability and quality for the entire region.

The Water District secured a permit to construct a water withdrawal from the Kankakee River in 2019.  The withdrawal permit represents the first step of securing a reliable source of water. The next steps which are set out in the permit are:

1. Gain approval of the plan to protect the fish and mussel population that may be impacted by construction of the intake;
2. Gain approval of detailed engineering plans for the withdrawal; and
3. Construct the withdrawal.

The Water District has fully funded step one and expects to receive plan approval soon. Joe Cosgrove, manager of the Godley Public Water District, says the grant will help fund the engineering, planning and other services needed to complete step two.

“The Water District has strived to secure a reliable source of safe, plentiful and affordable water for people living in and to support economic growth of the planning area,” said Cosgrove. “This will allow the Water District to capitalize a decades-long effort to construct and share this vital source of water.”

Joyce advocated for the project during budget negotiations last spring.

SPRINGFIELD – In honor of National Farmers Day on October 12, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) and Senate Agriculture Chairman Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) are celebrating the hard work and dedication of local farmers and agricultural workers.

“While we appreciate and support farmers each and every day, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a new appreciation for the agriculture sector,” said Joyce, a fourth-generation farmer and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Today, we thank our farmers for their contributions to a healthier society and economy.”

On this day, Bennett and Joyce are encouraging people to show gratitude to farmers by supporting local farmers’ markets or making charitable donations to area farms.

“Farmers are passionate about the work they do, and this day is an opportunity to acknowledge the work of the men and women devoted to feeding our community,” said Bennett, who spends the harvest season helping out on his family's farm in Gibson City. “This is the perfect time to thank farmers young and old, past and present."

The lawmakers are also recognizing the dedicated animals that work alongside farmers every day and help them with daily tasks, such as plowing the field, transporting food and cultivating the soil, especially during the busy harvest season.

As harvest season progresses across the state and farmers face additional stressors, Bennett encourages farmers to sign up for a webinar to learn ways to manage stress. The webinar will be led by the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development on Oct. 14 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. To register, visit tinyurl.com/harveststress.