Illinois Quick Hits: State offers $35M to encourage transit use by students

(The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Board of Education announced on Friday that a total of $35 million in funding is available for agencies to establish programs that encourage public school students to use transit outside of the Chicago area.

The Downstate Reduced Fare Grant Program and the Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant Program are the result of legislation passed by the General Assembly earlier this year. Applications are due Oct. 15.

ILLINOIS STUDENT, OUTDOOR HOMELESS NUMBERS RISE

The Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness released on Thursday the Home Illinois Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness for fiscal years 2027 to 2029.

The report said more than 63,000 students were identified as experiencing homelessness during the 2024–25 school year, a 30% increase in three years.

While overall homelessness in Illinois decreased by 6% between 2025 and 2026, the number of people living outdoors, in cars, or in abandoned buildings increased by 22%.

CHICAGO BANK ROBBER GETS 76-YEAR SENTENCE

A federal judge has sentenced a Chicago man to 76 years in prison for robbing or attempting to rob four banks in the city’s downtown area.

Prosecutors said Joseph Donelson Jr., 68, struck a bank teller in the face during one of the robberies in 2023.

The incidents occurred while Donelson was on court-supervised release following his imprisonment for robbing two other banks in Chicago’s Loop in 2007.

BEARS FANS TOP THE NFL FOR IN-GAME DRINKING

A new survey says 78% of Chicago Bears fans drink alcohol during games, more than any other fan base in the National Football League.

The Action Network measured food and beverage consumption across all 32 teams and found that Bears fans and Atlanta Falcons fans led the league by consuming an average of 2.7 drinks inside the stadium.

Beer prices at Soldier Field generally range between $10 and $16.

Bears fans ranked fourth overall in total game-day calories, averaging 990 calories per game from beer and hot dogs.  The Bears are scheduled to open the season at Carolina on Sept. 13

This story originally appeared on thecentersquare.com.