The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Board of Education are making $35 million available to expand affordable transportation options for public school students outside the Chicago area.
The funding will be awarded competitively through two new programs created by legislation approved this year. The goal is to help students access transportation for school, extracurricular activities, career programs and other needs.
The Downstate Reduced Fare Grant Program will provide $20 million to transit agencies that establish, continue or expand free or reduced-fare programs for eligible public school students. The grants can also serve students attending career centers and public technical education centers administered by ISBE.
Another $15 million will be available through the Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant Program. That funding will help transit agencies partner with schools, regional offices of education and career or technical centers to establish or expand student transportation services.
Eligible expenses can include transportation planning, scheduling, service coordination and certain equipment costs.
Applications are due October 15th with awards expected to be announced in early 2027. Grants will operate in five-year cycles.
Applications should be submitted online through IDOT’s transit grant management system at ildot.blackcattransit.com. Awards will be announced in early 2027.
To explain the funding opportunity and how to apply, IDOT is hosting an informational webinar today (September 8th) and the 22nd both at 3 p.m. Registration may be completed for today’s session at: idot.click/nofo-090826 and for September 22nd at idot.click/nofo-092226.
For more information, contact IDOT’s Bureau Chief of Transit Operations David J. Schafer at David.Schafer@illinois.gov.