Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Federal money for one of the programs at Lincoln Land Community College is coming there at an important time.

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski says a nearly $77,000 grant from the federal Transportation Department will help bolster Lincoln Land’s semi driving program, which is specifically geared toward veterans who are interested in over-the-road driving, and getting their CDL.

“This announcement is particularly special because this program is focused on solving a real workforce shortage, while also uplifting our veterans and their families,” said Budzinski, during a news conference Monday at LLCC.

While Budzinski said it’s important to help and care for veterans once they’re home, it’s also important to try and lessen what’s been said to be a shortage of truck drivers in the state.

“This is for students to help with tuition and other needs that they have while they go to school,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, LLCC president.  The grant money is expected to support as many as 17 students who want to be truck drivers.  Students are often not eligible for some of the grants more traditional community college students can get.

That’s despite the fact that one official says truck driving is a good job.

“The trucking industry provides 338,000 careers in Illinois.  That’s one in every 15 jobs in the state,” said Matthew Hart, Executive Director, Illinois Trucking Association.  “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.”

Hart says there has been a shortage of truck drivers in Illinois and elsewhere since the COVID-19 pandemic, even though that shortage has somewhat lessened.