Illinois grants funds for electric buses in Lake, McHenry schools

TL/DR –

Several school districts in Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois are switching to electric school buses through a $19.9 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, which was awarded to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The grant will allow nine school districts to replace 70 gas-powered school buses with electric ones, install 70 charging stations, and provide workforce training to maintain the new technology. The switch aims to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, particularly in communities greatly affected by air pollution.

Illinois School Districts Swap Gas-Powered Buses for Electric Ones

Multiple school districts in Lake and McHenry counties in Illinois are purchasing electric school buses, thanks to grant funds from the state replacing gas-fueled buses.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) was awarded a $19.9 million grant from the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, an initiative sparked by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

The grant will be distributed to nine Illinois school districts to replace 70 gas-powered school buses with zero-emission electric buses, install 70 electric vehicle charging stations and offer workforce training.

“This funding advances our clean energy goals by providing nine school districts with the resources to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality,” said Governor JB Pritzker.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders highlighted that clean transportation solutions not only create healthier environments for students but also save money for school districts and taxpayers.

Various districts including Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 and Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 will receive new school buses and charging infrastructure.

The grant will also fund two full-time ISBE staff to support the green energy initiatives, such as zero-emission bus integration.

Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46, North Chicago CUSD 187, and Zion Elementary School District 6 also won direct funding from the EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.

This program aims to improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution.

According to the EPA, over three million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use in the United States, many of which emit high levels of harmful pollutants, posing health risks to children, older adults, and those with preexisting cardiopulmonary diseases.

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