A Major Push for Cleaner Transportation
Illinois has secured $19.9 million in funding to electrify its school bus fleet. The grant, part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will provide 70 electric school buses and build charging infrastructure across nine school districts. This initiative is part of the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, which focuses on replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) buses with electric alternatives to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions.
Beyond Buses: Infrastructure and Training
The grant covers more than just buses. Illinois will also construct new charging stations to support the electric fleet and provide workforce training to service the advanced technology. Additionally, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will hire two full-time staff members to oversee the program and collaborate with school districts on clean energy initiatives.
Leadership Speaks on the Impact
Governor JB Pritzker celebrated the milestone, emphasizing the program’s potential to enhance air quality and create healthier environments for students. “This funding advances our clean energy goals while reducing emissions and benefiting communities statewide,” Pritzker stated. State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders echoed the sentiment, highlighting the dual benefits of healthier learning environments and cost savings for taxpayers.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The electric buses will be distributed across nine Illinois school districts:
- Forest Park SD 91: 5 buses
- Franklin Park SD 84: 3 buses
- Hazel Crest SD 152.5: 1 bus
- Joliet Township HS SD 204: 10 buses
- Lincolnshire-Prairie View SD 103: 4 buses
- Marengo Union Elementary CSD 165: 2 buses
- Township HS District 113 (Highland Park): 3 buses
- Troy Community Consolidated SD 30-C: 32 buses
- Zion-Benton Township HS SD 126: 10 buses
Three additional districts—Grayslake Community Consolidated SD 46, North Chicago CUSD 187, and Zion Elementary SD 6—received direct EPA funding for electrification.
Why It Matters
The EPA reports that millions of Class 6 and 7 vehicles, including diesel buses, emit harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and fine particulates. Transitioning to electric school buses will significantly reduce these emissions, creating cleaner air and a healthier environment for communities.
Illinois’ initiative sets a strong example for other states, combining sustainability with tangible benefits for education and public health.
