SPRINGFIELD ─ Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus celebrated the recent announcement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s $13 million investment for 46 new all-electric school buses. The funding will facilitate the swap from older diesel-powered buses to brand new electric buses with the charging infrastructure needed to power the new fleet.

The grants are funded through Illinois’ allocation of the multi-billion-dollar Volkswagen Settlement and are distributed by Illinois EPA’s Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program. The grant program was developed to distribute funding for various types of clean air and energy projects. Illinois EPA has spent nearly $108 million in VW Settlement funds to date, funding 122 electric school buses and 65 direct current fast charging sites across the state. ​The program has also funded 60 electric transit buses in the Chicago area.

"An investment in clean transportation represents a win-win for our communities - we're protecting the health of our children while moving Illinois toward a more sustainable future. The new electric buses heading to Community Consolidated Schools District 168 in Sauk Village will mean cleaner air for our students during their daily commutes and reduced emissions in our neighborhoods,” said Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago). “This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment that will benefit families in the 17th District for years to come."

The Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program will provide electric buses for seven school districts, including:

• Triad Community Unit School District 2
• Huntley Community School District 158
• Chicago Public Schools District 299
• Homewood Flossmoor Community High School District 233
• Community Consolidated Schools District 168 - Sauk Village
• Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15
• Community Unit School District 300 – Carpentersville

“Having buses that run almost everyday transition to clean energy will improve the air quality for our community and young students,” said State Senator Napoleon Harris III (D-Harvey). “But it also sets an example to the next generation that Illinois is leading the charge on protecting the environment they will inherit.” 

The funding highlights Illinois’ commitment to improving air quality for students and their surrounding communities in the years to come.