Sen. Durbin Endorses Patrick Joyce for 40th Senate Seat

HOMEWOOD -- Senator Dick Durbin is throwing his political weight behind a new senator for this area.

Durbin today endorsed Patrick Joyce for the 40th District seat in the Illinois Senate in the upcoming March 17th primary election. Joyce has served in the Senate since November, when he took over for Toi Hutchinson.

Read more about the announcement made today in Kankakee:

State Sen. Patrick Joyce has earned the support of one of Illinois’ top elected officials in his run for the Illinois Senate.

Joyce, D-Essex, was officially and warmly endorsed Monday afternoon, Feb. 17, by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin – one month ahead of the March 17th election – at the Laborers Local 751 Hall in Kankakee.

Sen. Joyce is a family farmer whose family has long known Sen. Durbin, including when Joyce’s father was state senator and Sen. Durbin worked on legislative staff in Springfield. Sen. Durbin spoke fondly of Sen. Joyce’s parents, including their leadership and dedication to helping working families in the district now represented by their son.

Sen. Durbin said Sen. Patrick Joyce shares those same leadership skills and dedication to helping others.

“We need leaders in Springfield who put the people first again – leaders who will take seriously their oath of office and work every day to serve others and help meet their needs,” Durbin said. “Patrick Joyce is one of those leaders. He’s a successful small business owner who knows what the people of the 40th Illinois Senate district need: affordable and accessible health care; balanced budgets and property tax relief; increased state support for schools; and improved flow on the Kankakee River. He will be a great State Senator for this area and I am proud to endorse him.”

Sen. Joyce said he appreciates Sen. Durbin’s support in the Democratic primary election because of Durbin’s long, distinguished career in public service.

“Dick Durbin is the model for anyone running for public office. He’s right on the issues, always puts working and middle-class families first, and carefully listens to the people,” Joyce said. “I am honored and humbled to receive his support in this race. I will work every day in the district and in Springfield to be like Dick Durbin – to fight for the people over the insiders and to get this state back on the right track.”

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ABOUT SEN. PATRICK JOYCE

A lifelong family farmer, small business owner and longtime resident of the 40th Senate District, Patrick Joyce is determined to restore the right values and priorities in Springfield. He is running for Illinois State Senate to make sure all of his constituents’ voices are heard, from making health care more accessible and affordable to standing up for our small businesses that create jobs and support our families. Learn more at www.electpatrickjoyce.com, or follow me on Facebook: @senpatrickjoyce.