STATE TAXPAYERS TO COVER STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

The Illinois Department of Transportation is launching a new initiative to attract civil engineering talent. Under a pilot program, the state will pay up to $15,000 per year toward student loan debt for selected engineers who graduated from Illinois institutions. Eligible employees can receive up to $60,000, provided they remain with IDOT for at least four years before payments start. This effort, championed by State Senator Ram Villivalam of Chicago, aims to reverse declining numbers in engineering graduates and strengthen the state’s infrastructure workforce. Officials hope the incentive will make civil engineering careers more accessible and competitive statewide.