For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 19, 2024

Illinois Awarded $19.9 Million to Support School Districts Transitioning to Zero-Emission Buses

​Nine school districts will use federal funding to purchase 70 electric school buses and build EV charging infrastructure

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today announced it has been awarded a $19.9 million grant from the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiative made possible by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. ISBE will distribute grant funds to nine Illinois school districts to replace 70 internal combustion engine school buses with zero-emission electric buses, install 70 electric vehicle charging stations, and offer workforce training to support these new technologies.

“With this funding, we're building on our progress toward a more sustainable future by providing nine school districts with the resources to advance our clean energy goals," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Duty Grant program, these districts will receive electric school buses, charging infrastructure, and workforce training — reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality. Thanks to our federal and local partners, we're creating healthier and cleaner environments for students and communities across the state."

“Clean transportation solutions not only create healthier living and learning environments for our students but also save money for our school districts and taxpayers,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “I am proud of our staff here at the Illinois State Board of Education for winning this competitive grant and securing this valuable investment in Illinois’ clean energy future.”

The following school districts in Illinois will receive new zero-emission school buses and charging infrastructure through the grant:

  • Forest Park School District 91 – five school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Franklin Park School District 84 – three school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Hazel Crest School District 152.5 - one school bus and charging infrastructure
  • Joliet Township High School District 204 – 10 school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 – four school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Marengo Union Elementary CSD 165 – two school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Township High School District 113 (Highland Park) - three school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C – 32 school buses and charging infrastructure
  • Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 – 10 school buses and charging infrastructure

The grant will support two-full time ISBE staff to support grant implementation and work with districts on other green energy initiatives, including but not limited to zero-emission bus integration. In addition to the nine districts that will receive funding via ISBE’s grant, three other Illinois school districts — Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46, North Chicago CUSD 187, and Zion Elementary School District 6 — also won direct funding through the EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program aims to improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution.

According to the EPA, over 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles, spanning a wide variety of vehicle types and vocations, are currently in use in the United States. Many of these are older vehicles that emit higher levels of harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and greenhouse gases, than newer vehicles. This pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other serious health problems. Children, older adults, and those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease are particularly vulnerable to these health impacts.

For more information on the EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, visit the EPA’s website.

Additionally, Illinois school districts have another opportunity to apply for funding for clean school buses and infrastructure through the EPA’s 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Program​, which is open for submission now until January 9, 2025.

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