Senator Dick Durbin.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

Article continues after sponsor message

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) praised the Obama Administration’s decision to pledge $100 million to expand workforce training programs at community colleges around the country.  Today’s funding is part of President Obama’s goal of providing two years of free community college tuition to hardworking students. According to the Illinois Community College Board, five community colleges in Illinois have a tuition free program – City Colleges of Chicago, Elgin Community College, Harper College, Illinois Central College and McHenry County College. 

“It’s time to stop thinking of education in America as K-12 and start growing a stronger workforce by expanding our focus to pre-K-14,” said Durbin. “Community colleges provide a springboard for students who wish to continue their education and a foundation for students to find good paying jobs through quality job training programs.  I am proud to say that five community colleges in Illinois already offer tuition free programs and know that more are working to join this effort to give motivated students a path to receiving a solid educational foundation without debt.”

Durbin is an original cosponsor of the America’s College Promise Act (S. 1716), authored by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), to create a national program to provide two years of free community college to hardworking students in participating states.

 

More like this:

Career And Technical Education Enrollment Grows By Nearly 6 Percent At Illinois Community Colleges
Oct 28, 2026
Lewis and Clark Discover Day to Help Future Students Explore College and Career Paths
Oct 3, 2026
Treasurer Frerichs Clinches 8th Gold Rating For Bright Start 529 College Savings Plan
Today
Belt Encourages Local Organizations To Apply For Pre-Apprenticeship Funding
Sep 8, 2026
City Colleges Faculty and Staff Vote 96% to Authorize Strike
Sep 24, 2026