IL HB5358

Establishes the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, administered by the State Board of Education to provide financial assistance to students in truck driver training programs at public Illinois community colleges.

Eligible applicants must be Illinois residents, high school graduates or equivalency degree holders, accepted to a Class A commercial driver's license training program, and meet all college admissions criteria.

Grants cover tuition and fees for truck driver training programs, paid directly to community colleges, with a maximum award of $5,000 per recipient and no renewal available.

Recipients must begin employment as a licensed truck driver in Illinois within one year of completing the training program; failure to do so requires repayment of the grant with 5% interest and collection fees.

Creates the Illinois Trucking Grant Pilot Program Fund as a special state fund to support program administration and grant payments, which may also receive grants and donations from public and private sources.