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

May 12, 2026/
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By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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.

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