State Senator Patrick Joyce

06/05/2026

Reminder as summer begins to get your kids started on the Summer Book Club!

To prevent the “summer slide,” we are once again launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40th District. 📖

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to my district office by Aug. 21. Participants who complete the readings will receive a certificate and an invite to a pizza party. 🍕

Our summer book club has done great over the last few years. Not only are we getting kids to pick up a couple books, we are also getting to wrap up the summer with a pizza party.

To receive a book club form, visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com to download and print the form. Parents can also call my office at 708-756-0882 to request a copy by mail.

05/25/2026

It was an honor to offer remarks and to help place the wreath at the Reed Township Memorial Day program. Memorial Day is one of the most solemn and meaningful days of the year because it reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy every day were secured by Americans willing to give everything for this nation.

05/25/2026

Today we pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We honor their service, their courage and their legacy.

05/21/2026

When we all pass on one day, our last requests are often to be cremated or buried with dignity and respect. This means funeral homes must operate at a level of care and professionalism that puts families dealing with loss at ease.

House Bill 4695 would expand the comptroller's ability to investigate a licensed crematory. It would permit the comptroller to perform an unannounced inspection of the premises. As part of its investigations, if the comptroller finds any violation or wrongdoing under the grounds for dismissal that constitute an imminent danger to the public, the comptroller could suspend the crematory’s license.

By bringing together all parties involved we were able to get to a spot where the comptroller’s office has enough authority to crack down on any bad actors and the funeral industry has enough room to operate successfully.

Read more:

SPRINGFIELD – In Feb. 2025, a whistleblower came forward sharing pictures and describing a gruesome scene at Crown Cremations and Heights Crematory in Chicago Heights ─ prompting an investigation from the...

05/20/2026

In an effort to modernize vehicle law to reflect the growth in agricultural technology, I passed a measure that would allow heavier farm wagons and similar agricultural equipment to qualify for existing code exemptions on the road.

A farmer who operates in our district came to me and helped shine a light on the issue we have here. We have a farmer who is just trying to move his crops from the field to his grain elevator down the road, and he is getting pulled over for being over a weight limit that hasn’t been adjusted in over 45 years.

Read more:

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to modernize vehicle law to reflect the growth in agricultural technology, State Senator Patrick Joyce passed a measure through the full Senate that would allow heavier farm wagons and...

05/19/2026

To prevent the “summer slide,” we are once again launching a Summer Reading Club for children and young people who live in the 40th District. 📖

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to my district office by Aug. 21. Participants who complete the readings will receive a certificate and an invite to a pizza party. 🍕

Our summer book club has done great over the last few years. Not only are we getting kids to pick up a couple books, we are also getting to wrap up the summer with a pizza party.

To receive a book club form, visit SenatorPatrickJoyce.com to download and print the form. Parents can also call my office at 708-756-0882 to request a copy by mail.

05/13/2026

ABATE of Illinois, Inc. lobby day is all about preserving the universal right to a safe, unrestricted, motorcycling environment. Honored to accept their Legislator of the Year Vest. I got the biker vest, now I just need a motorcycle!

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with the Democratic Women of the South Suburbs for their Youth Lobby. It is always exciting to see students learning to speak up for what they believe in.

05/13/2026

This week I attended the Grundy Economic Development Council’s Legislative Breakfast. I always enjoy the opportunity to have discussions with local leaders and share an update about what’s happening in Springfield.