Reps. Casten, Foster Hold Press Conference with Students and Faculty from Local Colleges Receiving Funding Under the American Rescue Plan
Downers Grove, IL – Today U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (IL-06) and Bill Foster (IL-11) held a press conference alongside students and faculty from local colleges and universities who will receive emergency funding under the American Rescue Plan to help them cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship.
In Casten and Foster's congressional districts alone, local colleges, universities and students are set to receive a combined $146,000,000 in emergency funding under American Rescue Plan.
"The success of our local colleges and universities is critical to the success of our students and to the strength of this community. This funding will secure the future of these valued institutions and provide struggling students with urgent relief that will allow them to stay on track and complete their education." said Casten.
"Illinois is home to outstanding educational institutions, including colleges and universities that attract students from across the nation and the world. Unfortunately, these institutions have faced serious financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic, as have the students they serve," said Foster. "That's one of the reasons I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan – which makes historic investments to secure the future of these valued institutions and provide struggling students with urgent relief to allow them to finish their education."
Panelists joining Reps. Casten and Foster included: Dr. Rebecca Sherrick - President, Aurora University, Naila Sabahat – Student Trustee of College of DuPage, Dr. Judy Mitchell - President, Joliet Junior College, Dr. David Livingston - President, Lewis University, Dr. Christine Sobek - President, Waubonsee CC, Dr. Arvid Johnson - President, University of St Francis, Dr. David Sam - President, Elgin Community College, Dr. Brian Caputo – President, College of DuPage, and Chair Jim Goetz - Chairman of the Wheaton College Board of Trustees.
To watch the press conference, click here.
The colleges and universities in Illinois' 6th District receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:
- Elgin Community College: $17,521,163
- North Central College: $6,520,089
- Wheaton College: $5,227,217
- College of DuPage - $36,481,014
The Colleges and Universities In Illinois' 11th Congressional district receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:
- Aurora University - $13,706,056
- University of St. Francis - $5,010,048
- Joliet Junior College - $21,685,833
- Lewis University - $11,349,141
- North Central College - $6,520,089
- Benedictine University - $9,239,645
- Waubonsee Community College - $13,529,827
- College of DuPage - $36,481,014
Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant.
The American Rescue Plan also includes nearly $3 billion in additional funding – which will be distributed at a later date – for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), other Minority-Serving Institutions, and other under-resourced institutions. To read more about emergency education funding under the American Rescue Plan, click here.