OpEd: Senator Patrick Joyce (April 2025) – As your voice in Springfield, I’m committed to championing legislation that protects our families, strengthens rural communities, and builds a more secure future for all Illinoisans. This legislative session, I’ve focused on several key initiatives grounded in the needs and values of the hardworking people I represent.
One of the most urgent challenges we face is the synthetic opioid crisis, which continues to devastate families across our state. That’s why I proudly support Senate Bill 1874, which would classify xylazine — a dangerous animal tranquilizer increasingly found in street drugs — as a Schedule III controlled substance. This bill empowers law enforcement to crack down on traffickers while ensuring farmers and veterinarians can still access it for legitimate use. We must treat this crisis with the urgency it demands, and this legislation is a critical step forward in saving lives.
I support the Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act under Senate Bill 2385, which defends access to affordable prescription drugs for Illinois’ most vulnerable patients. This legislation ensures that 340B covered entities — such as community health centers and rural hospitals — can continue to acquire and dispense discounted medications without interference from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Just as we did by addressing unreasonable insurance restrictions on health care access last spring, I will work to ensure patients have lifesaving medications and health care services and programs that are accessible and affordable.
I remain deeply committed to protecting our rural way of life. One of my favorite days at the Capitol this spring was welcoming the Illinois FFA. As a former FFA member myself, it was inspiring to see the next generation of agricultural leaders in action. Their passion reminds me that the work we do here isn’t just about policy — it’s about people, families, and the future of rural Illinois.
This session, I’m proud to lead in pushing Senate Bill 2630 that invests $2 million in protecting one of Illinois’ most vital natural resources — our wetlands. This appropriation to the Department of Natural Resources will support grants to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to fund wetland protection, enhancement, and restoration projects across the state. As a lifelong outdoorsman, I know how important our natural areas are to Illinois’ environment, economy, and way of life. This is a smart, sustainable investment in our shared future.
Looking ahead, I’m also focused on Illinois’ energy future. With the passage of Senate Bill 1527, lifting the outdated moratorium on new nuclear construction, we’re embracing clean, reliable energy that can help meet our growing power needs while reducing emissions. I support this transition—not just for environmental reasons, but because it creates good-paying jobs and strengthens our energy independence.
Together, these efforts represent a vision for Illinois that is safer, more sustainable, and more supportive of working families. I’ll continue fighting every day in Springfield to make that vision a reality—and I thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Our legislative session in Springfield heads into its final month. You can follow the legislation I’m working on here: https://ilga.gov/senate/
I urge you to contact me anytime I can help: 708-756-0882, or at http://www.
Sen. Patrick Joyce
D-Essex, 40th State Senate District
OpEd: Senator Patrick Joyce (April 2025)
