Laker Nation News

Lake Land College received a grant of $130,000 to provide free Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and testing for up to 30 U.S. military Veterans and active service members, as well as their spouses and dependent children.

The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) through a Commercial Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant (CVMOST). Lake Land College is the only community college in the state of Illinois to receive the grant.

“At FMCSA, our job is all about safety. That includes safety of the roadways and safety of our nation’s commercial motor vehicle drivers,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Vinn White. “So we are proud to make this funding available, and we’re committed to working with the awardees to put it to good use, making it easier for drivers to enter into and stay in the CMV industry.”

The grant will cover the costs of CDL completion or license upgrade for up to 30 students, including course tuition and all fees for permits, background checks and hazmat checks. Classes for the CDL program at Lake Land College start every two weeks and take just six weeks to complete, providing students with a rapid pathway to a high-demand career in transportation.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our local Veterans and active service members,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “We’re very thankful for their service to our country, and we hope to see many capitalize on this unique opportunity to jumpstart a rewarding career for minimal cost.”

To learn more about the Lake Land College CDL program, contact Transportation Training Coordinator Justin Onigkeit at 217-238-8239 or jonigkeit@lakelandcollege.edu.

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