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The Illinois Community College Board has announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition Grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers.
The grants, awarded to community colleges and partner organizations across the state, expand access to bridge programming, adult education pathways, wrap-around supports, and disability transition services designed to meet the needs of today’s learners and employers, according to a community announcement.
“The Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant Program continues to be one of our most powerful tools for opening doors to education and career opportunities across Illinois,” ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham said. “These grants support a range of providers in building strong, seamless pathways that help learners gain the skills they need, connect with in-demand industries, and ultimately achieve long-term economic mobility.”
Grants support adults, youth facing barriers
The IBT Grant Program supports projects that serve adults and youth who may face academic, linguistic, socioeconomic or disability-related barriers to college and career entry. Through targeted instruction, advising, coordinated transition planning and hands-on training, the program ensures students can successfully move from foundational learning into certificate, degree and workforce programs.
This year’s grant recipients are:
Black Hawk College, $202,220.59Carl Sandburg College, $148,000.00City Colleges of Chicago, $262,500.00College of Lake County, $235,541.62Greater West Community Development Proj., $210,369.60Hana Center, $126,000.00Heartland Community College, $253,766.10Illinois Central College, $162,000.00Illinois Valley Community College, $166,500.00iMentor, $331,772.93Jane Addams Resource Corp., $310,500.00John Wood Community College, $264,083.20Kaskaskia College, $50,724.90Lake Land College, $60,751.04LEAP, $159,360.80Lewis & Clark Community College, $158,312.00Lincoln Land Community College, $300,000.00Little Friends, $167,905.00Love, Unity, and Values Institution, $250,047.00McHenry County College, $320,433.30Metropolitan Family Services, $298,800.00Moraine Valley Community College, $240,000.00Northern IL University, $199,807.94Oakton College, $270,704.59Parents Alliance Employment Project, $119,611.80PODER, $350,000.00Polish American Association, $202,500.00Project VISION, $209,218.00Pui Tak Center, $102,320.33Rock Valley College, $337,500.00Regional Office of Education, #33 $229,302.40Regional Office of Education, #47 $337,500.00Safer Foundation, $295,490.00Shawnee Community College, $262,500.00Southwestern IL College, $337,451.40Township HS District #113, $90,000.00Trellus – Asian Human Services, $300,000.00Urbana School District #116, $153,822.60Waubonsee Community College, $140,853.00William Rainey Harper College, $374,990.00World Relief – Chicago, $300,000.00
Grants support a range of initiatives
The fiscal year 2026 grants will support a range of initiatives, including adult education bridge courses, high school-to-college transition programming, support for individuals with disabilities, career pathway expansion, student support services and partnerships that connect learning to real employment opportunities.
“Our grantees, spanning community colleges, community-based organizations and higher-education partners, continue to innovate and collaborate to remove barriers and expand opportunity,” added Durham. “The IBT program helps ensure Illinois residents can take the next step toward meaningful education, training and careers.”
Overall, 13,000 participants are expected to be served in fiscal year 2026 through these projects.
This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.