State Senator Patrick Joyce

PARK FOREST State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) is urging local businesses to apply for the second wave of Back to Business grants before the Oct. 13 deadline. The B2B program allocates $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars for small businesses experiencing COVID-19 losses, and grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. I h... ave seen firsthand how the pandemic has impacted our small business community, which is why we must give our local businesses the resources they need to be active and thrive, Joyce said. Im excited and encouraged by the $280,000 our district has received in the first wave of B2B grants, but its extremely important that more businesses apply before the deadline. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply by visiting the DCEO website . To help restore operational losses incurred during the pandemic, the B2B program will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000 to $150,000, commensurate with losses experienced. Joyce encourages residents to reach out to his office at 708-756-0882 or visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com with questions and concerns. KANKAKEE Two area libraries will receive grants to administer mentorship programs for at-risk youth, State Senator Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) announced Tuesday. After a difficult year for our students, these grants couldnt have come at a better time, Joyce said. Making sure our at-risk youth have the resources and mentors they need to get back on track is important, and Project Next Generation will help with that. The Bradley Public Library District will receive over $7,000 and the Kankakee Public Library will receive $17,000 in Project Next Generation grants. PNG is a mentoring program established by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to help middle and high school students develop technological skills, achieve success through project-based learning, and gain life skills such as effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution. The secretary of state awarded over $530,000 in in PNG grants to libraries statewide. ...Read More