01.24.24

Durbin, Duckworth Announce Over $1.2 Million for Illinois Central College to Develop High School Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $1,288,596 for Illinois Central College through the U.S. Department of Education’s Perkins Innovation and Modernization (PIM) Career Connected High Schools (CCHS) Grant Program to develop new high-quality work-based learning programs for high school students to gain experience in health care, construction, manufacturing, and information technology professions.

“The CCHS Program aims to provide more students with access to high-quality career pathways, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern workforce,” said Durbin. “This investment will help shape a pathway towards a brighter future for the students in Central Illinois and beyond.”

“Investing in workforce development—and in our young people—by supporting our educational institutions will help allow them to have as many options as possible when they graduate,” Duckworth said. “I’m glad this federal support will create high-quality career-connected programs to help high school students discover their path and be better prepared to enter the workforce.”

Durbin requested report language in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill to encourage the Department of Education to provide grants for evidence- and school-based mentoring programs that are focused on providing students with social and emotional learning and workplace skills. Durbin also requested $200 million for President Biden’s Career Connected High Schools initiative in the FY24 appropriations bill.  

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