Hastings to present School District 159 $8.3 Million School Construction Grant

Matteson, IL—Ten years after submitting its application, Elementary School District 159 will receive an $8.3 million grant check from the State of Illinois’ School Construction Grant Program.  Following a press conference on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 7 p.m., State Senator, Michael Hastings (D) will present to the School Board and District Superintendent, a check for $8.3 million as one of the remaining districts to be funded from the FY 2003 School Construction Priority Ranking List.  “Every student should be provided a first class education and first class facilities in which to learn,” Hastings said.  “This grant is another step in the “Rebuild the Southland” initiatives that I set forth when I took office.”

 To date, the School Construction Grant Program has benefited 497 school districts in every region of the state and provided over $3.1 billion in state funds for building and renovating local public schools.  On August 22, 2013, funds were released that allowed the remaining twenty-three districts to receive their 2003 School Construction grant entitlement awards. 

The award presentation by Senator Hastings and press conference will take place Monday September 30 at 7 p. m. in the Colin Powell Middle School cafeteoria.  There will be a reception immediately following.   Parents, residents and community stakeholders are all invited to attend. 

For more information contact: Danielle LeMonnier  district19@senatorhastings.com  (708) 283-4125