Matteson, Ill. -- 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. 

On Monday, September 30, State Senator Michael Hastings will present a check for $8.3 million to the school board and district superintendent 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' initiative I set 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, the state released funds for the remaining 23 districts to receive their 2003 School Construction grant entitlement awards. 

Senator Hastings' presentation and a press conference will take place Monday, September 30 at 7 pm in the Colin Powell Middle School cafeteria, with a reception immediately following. Parents, residents and community stakeholders are invited to attend.