About Patrick

Committed to Being a Public Servant

Patrick Joyce is a common-sense small business owner, fourth-generation farmer, and the current State Senator. In the Senate, Joyce has worked to protect clean drinking water in Kankakee, revitalize deprived properties to attract investments in south suburban communities, support law enforcement, prioritize working families with ever rising costs by suspending the gas tax, and fight for reproductive health care as women across the country have been stripped of their right to choose. He’s running for re-election to continue representing all people regardless of party, bringing practical legislation rather than political agendas to Springfield.

"I will continue serving with honesty, integrity and civility. We are a very diversified district with urban, suburban and rural communities. I plan to work closely with each of these communities around the issues each feels strongly about. I am here to listen and learn about the concerns of working families. I look forward to the challenges ahead and will fight to help the people of this district.” -Patrick Joyce

A member of the community-

Patrick is a fourth generation farmer who grew up and attended school in Reddick, Illinois. He earned his B.A. in Agribusiness, from Illinois State University. He now resides in Essex, Illinois where he has worked as owner and operator of his family-owned farm. He was a 19-year member of the Kankakee County Farm Bureau and served on the Board of Directors. Patrick has been a lifelong advocate for conservation and environmental awareness. He is married, a father of three, and has two granddaughters. Patrick and his wife, Rita, lost a daughter to leukemia in 2011; he has since become a team leader for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Team "Yes! I am Katelyn Friend!" has raised over $200,000 for the cause and he is often involved in fundraising for other worthy, charitable causes.