KANKAKEE – State Senator Patrick Joyce announced 21 public libraries and school districts across the 40th District are set to receive more than $385,000 for library services, enhanced programming and construction and security upgrades.
“For years, our local libraries have continued to bring people together,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Libraries are not just places you go to check out books. They are also pillars in building tight-knit communities.”
More than $27 million was awarded to over 640 public libraries and 2,500 school libraries statewide through the Illinois Secretary of State’s Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, Security and Construction Grants and School Library Grants. The funding will support libraries’ investments in reading materials, technology, literacy programs, infrastructure improvements and security upgrades. School library grants, awarded once every fiscal year, will support student learning and literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade.
In Joyce’s district, nine public libraries and twelve school districts received funding, including:
- Bloom Township High SD 206
- Bourbonnais Elementary SD 53
- Bourbonnais Public Library District
- Bradley Elementary School District 61
- Bradley-Bourbonnais CHSD 307
- Chicago Heights School District 170
- Flossmoor Elementary School District 161
- Fossil Ridge Public Library District
- Herscher CUSD 2
- Kankakee Public Library
- Kankakee SD 111
- Limestone Township Library District
- Manhattan Elementary School District 114
- Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District
- Park Forest Public Library
- Reed-Custer CUSD 255U
- Steger School District 194
- Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District
- University Park Public Library District
- Wilmington Public Library District
- Wilmington School District 209U
A full list of public and school libraries receiving grant funding can be found here.
