Illinois is to receive a $6 million federal grant to pay for green jobs training.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Wednesday announced the stimulus money will go to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity from the federal Department of Labor. Durbin's office says the state department will use the money to train and place about 1,300 workers in energy-efficient jobs and help about another 1,700 workers earn degrees.

Projects include the Greater Rockford Solar Initiative and the Chicago Green Jobs for All Initiative.

Durbin says the money will "make a significant investment in the effort to reduce the carbon footprint of residents and businesses in Illinois."