July 5, 2023 – Gov. Pritzker announced last week that $24.9 million recently awarded to the Illinois Department of Transportation by the federal government will allow jurisdictions statewide, including Decatur, to purchase paratransit vehicles to improve aging public transportation systems.
“Here in Illinois, we are taking bold action to reach our ambitious clean energy goals and tackle the climate crisis head-on—from passing landmark climate legislation and strengthening our electric vehicle ecosystem to expanding workforce development opportunities and investing in historically underserved communities,” Gov. Pritzker said in a press release. “This $24.9 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration advances that critical work—all while making sure Illinoisans up and down the state have access to the clean transit services they need and deserve.”
Two grants awarded by the Federal Transit Administration will provide green transportation options for over 20 variously sized communities across the state in an effort to minimize greenhouse gas emissions created by aging vehicles. Of the 50 new vehicles that will be hitting roadways, the City of Decatur will receive four—the only city to do so. In addition to expanding public transportation access, federal dollars will also fund local workforce development and training.
“Electric vehicles enable a cleaner future, and they also create jobs across the state,” Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said in a press release. “These federal funds provide Illinois’ transit systems with the critical resources they need to deploy the latest technology and maintain reliable, affordable services for Illinoisans.”
Funding will also fuel IDOT’s Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program, which takes aging vehicles out of commission and replaces them with modernized options. The program is particularly focused on communities with large proportions of seniors, disabled people or zero-vehicle households but impacts towns across the state.
These grants are part of a $1.7 billion nationwide investment by the FTA and funds similar projects in 46 states and territories.
