Illinois has been awarded $19.9 million under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to deploy 70 electric school buses and expand charging infrastructure across nine school districts, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced Friday. The funding comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.
The grant will facilitate the replacement of retired internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses with electric models, along with workforce training and support for clean energy programming. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker highlighted the initiative’s environmental and health benefits. “Through this program, we are reducing emissions and improving air quality for students and communities across the state,” he said.
The funds will also support the construction of EV charging stations and the hiring of two full-time staff members at ISBE to oversee the grant’s implementation. Illinois plans to use the program as a foundation for future clean energy initiatives, aiming to create healthier living environments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders praised the investment, stating, “Clean transportation solutions not only create healthier environments for our students but also save money for school districts and taxpayers.”
The EPA estimates that 3 million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles currently emit significant greenhouse gases and harmful pollutants nationwide, underscoring the potential impact of the program.
Districts Benefiting from the Funding
The nine Illinois school districts receiving electric school buses include:
- Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C: 32 buses
- Joliet Township High School District 204: 10 buses
- Zion-Benton Township High School District 126: 10 buses
- Forest Park School District 91: 5 buses
- Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103: 4 buses
- Franklin Park School District 84: 3 buses
- Township High School District 113: 3 buses
- Marengo Union Elementary CSD 165: 2 buses
- Hazel Crest School District 152.5: 1 bus
Three additional districts, Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46, North Chicago CUSD 187, and Zion Elementary School District 6, received direct funding through the EPA’s grant program.
The initiative aligns with broader federal and state efforts to reduce emissions, including President Joe Biden’s directive for zero-emission vehicle acquisitions by 2027. While the Postal Service and other agencies face challenges in meeting these goals, Illinois’ investment signals a step toward a cleaner and more sustainable transportation future.
