IDNR grants send 740+ Illinois students to historic sites

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - More than 740 students across Illinois will have the chance to explore the state’s rich history this school year, thanks to over $6,740 in grants awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

The funding comes from the IDNR’s State Historic Sites Field Trip Grant Program, which helps schools cover the cost of transportation for educational field trips to state historic sites.

According to the IDNR, this year’s awards — distributed through 14 grants across 12 counties — mark the largest amount of funding given by the program since it began in the 2020-2021 school year.

The goal of the program is to enhance classroom learning by connecting students with Illinois' historical and cultural resources through hands-on experiences.

Applications for next year’s grant cycle are due by September 30, with the next round of forms becoming available in spring 2026.

Below is a list of grant recipients in each county:

Calhoun County

Calhoun High School, ninth through 12th grade trip to Jarrot Mansion State Historic Site in Cahokia. Grant Award: $500

Douglas County

Villa Grove School District CUSD 302, eighth-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $500

DuPage County

Evergreen Elementary, fourth-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $500

Jo Daviess County

East Dubuque Junior High School, eighth-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $500

Macon County

Meridian Elementary School, third-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $500

Massac County

Joppa Maple Grove School District 38, seventh through 12th grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant Award: $500

McLean County

Lexington CUSD 7, seventh-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $240

Montgomery County

Beckemeyer Elementary School, fourth-grade trip to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Petersburg. Grant award: $500

Piatt County

Deland-Weldon Elementary School, fourth- and fifth-grade trip to Lincoln’s Log Cabin State Historic Site in Lerna. Grant award: $500

St. Clair County

East Alton Middle School, seventh-grade trip to Vandalia State House State Historic Site in Vandalia. Grant award: $500

Union County

Jonesboro Elementary School, seventh-grade trip to Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford. Grant award: $500 Jonesboro Elementary School, eighth-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $500
Jonesboro Elementary School, seventh- and eighth-grade trip to Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield. Grant award: $500

Warren County

Immaculate Conception School, eighth-grade trip to Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and War Memorials in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield. Grant award: $500

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