THE STATE IS USING ITS 108 MILLION DOLLAR VOLKSWAGON SETTLEMENT TO KICK OFF THE “DRIVING A CLEANER ILLINOIS” PROGRAM.
THE PROGRAM WILL HELP CITIES, SCHOOLS, MASS TRANSIT AND BUSINESSES REPLACE OLD DIESEL ENGINES WITH NEWER OPTIONS. JEN WALLING WITH THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL SAYS THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THE STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE.
THE FIRST ROUND OF FUNDING WILL GO TOWARDS COMMUTER RAIL AND BUS PROJECTS IN THE CHICAGO AREA. FUTURE ROUNDS WILL GO TO THE EAST ST. LOUIS AREA AND SOME DOWNSTATE COUNTIES.