Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

Spread the love

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan debt annually for up to 50 new civil engineers who graduate from Illinois schools.

IDOT says payments will be capped at $60,000 and will begin once the engineer has worked at the agency for at least four years.

The pilot program is the result of legislation proposed by State Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, to address a downward trend in engineering graduates.

IDOC WORKER CHARGED WITH LOAN FRAUD

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says a Will County woman fraudulently received a Paycheck Protection Program loan for more than $20,000 while she was employed by the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Jamilah Franklin, 48, of Joliet, was charged with loan fraud and forgery after Raoul’s office said she falsely claimed she owned a business and received $20,516 in 2021 as a result.

PRITZKER URGES COMMERCE SECRETARY TO APPROVE BROADBAND PROPOSAL

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to promptly approve Illinois’ Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment proposal.

The governor says the measure would provide $1.04 billion from federal taxpayers to expand broadband access to more than 383,000 Illinois residents.

According to a statement from Pritzker’s office, Illinois and California are the only states awaiting approval.

PELOSI GARDEN PAVILION ANNOUNCED AT OBAMA CENTER

When the Obama Presidential Center opens in Chicago next month, it will feature the Nancy Pelosi Garden Pavilion.

The Obama Foundation announced the tribute to the former U.S. House Speaker on Tuesday, thanks to a donation by philanthropist and business leader Ron Conway.

Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that he would always be grateful for Pelosi’s support of the Affordable Care Act.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Lawsuit: Amazon prefers Trump favoritism to customer refunds

Lawsuit: Amazon prefers Trump favoritism to customer refunds

By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Amazon refused to pursue refunds after charging customers extra during President Donald Trump’s later-invalidated tariff policy, a new lawsuit alleges. Hagens Berman,...
Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

Illinois Quick Hits: Independent candidate filing period opens

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Today is the first day of the filing period for independents and new party candidates seeking state...
Report: Cautionary advice to governments granting overzealous tax breaks

Report: Cautionary advice to governments granting overzealous tax breaks

By David BeasleyThe Center Square Data centers can produce "tremendous dividends” for both the national economy and local communities, a taxpayer’s group concludes in two new studies. The centers have...
‘Exploited tax dollars’: Trial law firms donate almost exclusively to Democrats

‘Exploited tax dollars’: Trial law firms donate almost exclusively to Democrats

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Two new reports from consumer advocacy group Alliance for Consumers show that what the group calls the “Shady Eight" trial law firms have donated almost...
Supreme Court takes up Georgia Title IX case

Supreme Court takes up Georgia Title IX case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case regarding alleged sex discrimination in Georgia public schools, the high court announced Monday. The...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Will County Executive Committee Splits on Whether to Ask Voters About Single-Member Districts

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, took the temperature of members on a...
Will County Finance Logo

Will County Departments to Stop Accepting Pennies, Rounding Down Cash Transactions

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryIn preparation for the U.S. Mint ceasing production of the penny in November 2025, the Will County Finance Committee...
Everyday Economics: The economy is still standing, but the squeeze Is building

Everyday Economics: The economy is still standing, but the squeeze Is building

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square This week brings three important reads on the economy: the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index, new home sales and the Personal Consumption Expenditures report....
Kentucky to select candidates in high profile races

Kentucky to select candidates in high profile races

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Kentucky voters will head to the polls on Tuesday in some of the most closely watched primary races in the country. Voters will select candidates...
Alabama voters to elect candidates in redrawn map

Alabama voters to elect candidates in redrawn map

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Alabama voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to select partisan candidates for various statewide races, but some districts for the U.S. House will...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Legislative Committee: Federal Update Highlights $79 Billion ICE Funding and DHS Reconciliation

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryFederal lobbyist KP of Smith Garson provided the committee with an update on Capitol Hill maneuvering, noting that the...
Do midterm redistricting efforts favor Republicans?

Do midterm redistricting efforts favor Republicans?

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court slapped down an appeal from Virginia Democrats Friday to uphold their redrawn map of congressional districts, preserving what appears to be...
Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE 'doxxing'

Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE ‘doxxing’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, who serves on the Immigration and Human Rights Committee, is calling...
New Lenox Village Board Graphic.1

New Lenox Fast-Tracks Over $310,000 in SCADA Upgrades, Advances IEPA Loan for New Water Facility

Village of New Lenox Meeting | May 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Village Board waived formal bidding to approve a pair of six-figure proposals from TriR Systems to replace aging radio...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Will County Executive Committee Backs Funding Pursuit for $2.33 Million Harris Drive Property Buyouts

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | May 14, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, May 14, 2026, agreed to pursue state and federal grant...