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

Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots

Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is frustrated with state laws allowing multiple homes to be built on single-home sites in...
WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase

WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California drivers can expect the state’s gas tax to go up 2.2 cents on July 1, which will bring the total tax to 63.4 cents...
Experts comment on bill banning U.S. lawmakers from insider prediction bidding

Experts comment on bill banning U.S. lawmakers from insider prediction bidding

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Newly introduced legislation to ban members of Congress from betting in prediction markets should be expanded to include members of all three branches of the...
GOP reacts to Los Angeles proposal for noncitizen voters

GOP reacts to Los Angeles proposal for noncitizen voters

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square The Los Angeles City Council is facing criticism from a Republican Party leader after deciding to move forward with a Nov. 3 ballot initiative to...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Committee Pulls Single-Member District Referendum

Will County Board Executive Committee Meeting | June 11, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, June 11, 2026, removed a proposed referendum on single-member county...
Cook County taxpayers face projected $550.7 million deficit

Cook County taxpayers face projected $550.7 million deficit

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has projected a budget gap of $550.7 million dollars for fiscal...
Further Middle East unrest dominates tense delay of peace deal signing

Further Middle East unrest dominates tense delay of peace deal signing

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In a day that was supposed to feature technical negotiations following the signing of a preliminary peace deal, Iran has instead issued multiple warnings and...
Illinois Quick Hits: Economic development summit set for next week

Illinois Quick Hits: Economic development summit set for next week

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Economic Development Summit is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Topics include transportation, energy, workforce strategy,...
California legislator accuses Newsom of violating state code

California legislator accuses Newsom of violating state code

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, has commented further about his call for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to be investigated for using state resources for personal...
Op-Ed: What is the Declaration of Independence?

Op-Ed: What is the Declaration of Independence?

By Rob Natelson | Mountain States Policy CenterThe Center Square I frequently answer constitutional questions from individuals who want to know more about the relationship between the Constitution and the...
Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average

Illinois sees biggest drop in gas prices nationwide, still above $4 average

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The national average price for a gallon of motor fuel has steadily dropped in the past week,...
Democrats run against DeGette in Denver congressional race

Democrats run against DeGette in Denver congressional race

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District will consider tax policies and affordability concerns as they head to the polls on June 30. The district consists...
Minnesota special districts report $5.4B debt, federal aid declines

Minnesota special districts report $5.4B debt, federal aid declines

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota's special districts reported $5.4 billion in outstanding long-term debt in 2023, while increasingly relying on state funding as pandemic-era federal aid declined. This is...
Federal panel proposes new definition for sports betting

Federal panel proposes new definition for sports betting

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Betting on a football score isn't gambling. At least not according to the federal Commodities Futures Trading Commission. The commission recently proposed rule changes to...
Illinois Venezuelans face economic 'double whammy'

Illinois Venezuelans face economic ‘double whammy’

By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square An Illinois Venezuelan Alliance leader says inflation is a double whammy for members of his community. Jose Morales, vice president of the IVA’s board of...