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Several school districts in Lake and McHenry counties are purchasing electric school buses after the state announced it is distributing grant funds to replace gas-fueled buses.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced it was awarded a $19.9 million grant from the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiative spurred by President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.

ISBE will distribute grant funds to nine Illinois school districts to replace 70 internal combustion engine school buses with zero-emission electric buses, install 70 electric vehicle charging stations and offer workforce training to support the new technologies.

“With this funding, we’re building on our progress toward a more sustainable future by providing nine school districts with the resources to advance our clean energy goals,” Governor JB Pritzker said.

“Through the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Duty Grant program, these districts will receive electric school buses, charging infrastructure, and workforce training — reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality. Thanks to our federal and local partners, we’re creating healthier and cleaner environments for students and communities across the state,” Pritzker said.

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

“I am proud of our staff here at the Illinois State Board of Education for winning this competitive grant and securing this valuable investment in Illinois’ clean energy future,” Sanders said.

Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 will receive 10 school buses and charging infrastructure, Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 will receive four school buses and charging infrastructure, Township High School District 113 in Highland Park will receive three school buses and charging infrastructure, and Marengo Union Elementary CSD 165 will receive two school buses and charging infrastructure.

Forest Park School District 91 will receive five school buses and charging infrastructure, Franklin Park School District 84 will receive three school buses and charging infrastructure, Hazel Crest School District 152.5 will receive one school bus and charging infrastructure, Joliet Township High School District 204 will receive 10 school buses and charging infrastructure, Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C will receive 32 school buses and charging infrastructure.

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The grant will also support two full-time ISBE staff to support grant implementation and work with districts on other green energy initiatives, including zero-emission bus integration.

Three other Illinois school districts — Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46, North Chicago CUSD 187, and Zion Elementary School District 6 — also won direct funding through the EPA’s Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.

The Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program aims to improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution, state officials said.

According to the EPA, over three million Class 6 and Class 7 vehicles are currently in use in the United States.

Many of these are older vehicles that emit higher levels of harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter and greenhouse gases.

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“This pollution is associated with respiratory and cardiovascular disease, among other serious health problems. Children, older adults, and those with preexisting cardiopulmonary disease are particularly vulnerable to these health impacts,” state officials said.