Illinois Quick Hits: Applications open for state-funded diverse apprenticeship program

(The Center Square) – State officials say $25 million in taxpayer funds for the sixth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program will increase representation of people of color, veterans and women in the construction trades.

According to an announcement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, qualified entities have until October 2 to apply for grants from $150,000 to $550,000.

The program was created by the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act. The law signed in 2019 was designed to promote diversity, inclusion and the use of apprentices in state-funded capital projects.

HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER DUAL CREDIT CLASSES FROM U OF I

Students are 21 Illinois high schools will have the chance to take dual credit courses from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall.

The four classes offered are Introduction to Sustainable Food Systems, Killer Skies: Astro-Disaster, Introduction to Popular TV and Movies, and The Culture of Disability.

University officials said the initiative offered in partnership with Illinois Virtual Schools and Academy was designed to supply high school students with affordable and transferable college credits.

SPRINGFIELD MAN SENTENCED FOR DRUG AND GUN OFFENSES

A Springfield man has been sentenced to an aggregate 25-year sentence for drug trafficking and related firearm possession.

Kevin Gibbs, age 41, pleaded guilty in April of this year. Gibbs received concurrent sentences of 240 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a felon and for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, along with a consecutive 60-month sentence for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

IDOT TO REOPEN SOME CONSTRUCTION ZONES FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that lanes closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Labor Day weekend to minimize travel disruption.

IDOT said non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. on Friday,  to 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

This story originally appeared on thecentersquare.com.