Duckworth Touts Federal Funding She Secured for Current Chicago’s Inclusive Water Education and Workforce Training Program

Duckworth Touts Federal Funding She Secured for Current Chicago's Inclusive Water Education and Workforce Training Program

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leadership from Current, highlighting the $225,000 she secured through a Fiscal Year 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending Request for the development of a pilot, entry-level job training program centered on wastewater-based epidemiology. Duckworth also met with plumbers and apprentices to learn more about their in-field experience. A photo from today's meeting is available on the Senator's website.

"Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families-and that's one of the things Congressionally Directed Spending allows us to do," said Duckworth. "I'm so proud I was able to secure this critical support for Current that will not just help support workforce development but help ensure our water is safe. I'm dedicated to ensuring Illinois continues to build upon our career training efforts. Investing in workforce development-and in working families-is key to uplifting our state and building a better future."

The workforce training program was built on a collaborative effort between Current, Discovery Partners Institute and the Chicago Department of Public Health to track pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 through community wastewater sampling. The Duckworth-secured federal funding will help build a new training program and accelerate the development of inclusive workforce pathways in water careers, creating opportunities for hands-on experience with wastewater sampling, specimen management, field work and community engagement for individuals from historically disinvested communities and those who are underrepresented in water-related industries in Illinois.

Duckworth and Current leaders also discussed NSF Engines: Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine Project, coordinated by Current, whose mission is to develop new ways to extract valuable minerals and toxic forever chemicals from our wastewater. This project is one of U.S. National Science Foundation's inaugural Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines), a program authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act.

Current is a Chicago-based nonprofit water innovation hub working to grow an inclusive blue economy, accelerate adoption of innovative water technologies and solve pressing water challenges. Current was founded in Chicago in 2016 in partnership with the City of Chicago, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, World Business Chicago and the region's research universities.

In Fiscal Year 2024, Duckworth and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) successfully secured more than $264 million through the CDS process for Illinois, $182 million in FY23 and another $211 million for Illinois in FY22. A map detailing where funding has gone throughout Illinois can be found on the Senator's website. Senator Duckworth works with an Independent Review Board to examine and evaluate worthwhile projects focused on building infrastructure, stimulating economic development and providing essential services for Illinois communities.

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