Illinois College Receives $77K Grant to Train Veterans as Truck Drivers

The funding will support 17 military veteran students through a trucking school program.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:49pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal truck gearshift, a pair of work boots, and a military-style dog tag, conceptually representing the intersection of the trucking industry and veteran employment.A grant program aims to train military veterans for in-demand trucking jobs, addressing workforce shortages while supporting those transitioning to civilian careers.Lincoln Today

Lincoln Land Community College in Illinois has been awarded a $77,000 grant from the Department of Transportation to train military veterans to become truck drivers. The program aims to address workforce shortages in the trucking industry while providing career opportunities for veterans.

Why it matters

The trucking industry is a major employer in Illinois, providing over 338,000 jobs, or one in every 15 jobs in the state. This program helps fill a critical labor shortage while also supporting veterans transitioning to civilian careers.

The details

The grant funding will cover tuition and other needs for 17 military veteran students enrolled in Lincoln Land Community College's trucking school program. The program provides training to help veterans obtain their commercial driver's licenses and enter the trucking workforce.

  • The grant was announced on April 7, 2026.

The players

Lincoln Land Community College

A community college in Illinois that is the recipient of the $77,000 grant to train military veterans as truck drivers.

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski

A U.S. Representative who commented on the significance of the program in addressing workforce shortages and supporting veterans.

Dr. Charlotte Warren

The president of Lincoln Land Community College, who explained how the grant funding will be used to support students.

Matthew Hart

The Executive Director of the Illinois Trucking Association, who highlighted the importance of the trucking industry as a major employer in the state.

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What they’re saying

“This announcement is particularly special because this program is focused on solving a real workforce shortage, while also uplifting our veterans and their families.”

— U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski

“This is for students to help with tuition and other needs that they have while they go to school.”

— Dr. Charlotte Warren, President, Lincoln Land Community College

“The trucking industry provides 338,000 careers in Illinois. That's one in every 15 jobs in the state. We provide good-paying jobs that families can rely upon. The national average salary for an over-the-road truck driver is $75,000 per year.”

— Matthew Hart, Executive Director, Illinois Trucking Association

What’s next

The college plans to enroll the 17 veteran students in the trucking program using the grant funding.

The takeaway

This program demonstrates how targeted workforce development initiatives can address labor shortages while also providing career opportunities for veterans transitioning to civilian life. The trucking industry's strong demand for workers makes it an ideal field for such programs.