SE Illinois News

Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) recently took to social media to share information on a new CDL Scholarship Program for pork industry workers.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) will provide $1,000 to individuals who possess a valid Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification or sign up for the class, according to the association’s website. They must also be able to prove they haul pigs or feed for a pork producer in the state.

“The Illinois Pork Producers Association offers a scholarship program for applicants seeking to obtain or renew their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Illinois,” Windhorst wrote in an Aug.16 Facebook post, accompanied by a link to download the scholarship application.

The IPPA website states the program was created to address the nation’s current truck driver storage.

“A common issue pork producers continue to talk about is the difficulty they face in finding and retaining good labor both on farm and transportation support,” IPPA President Thomas Titus said in the IPPA website post. “Now, more than ever, it is our association’s goal to help producers support and retain their employees. Additionally, we want to recruit the next generation of pork industry advocates.”

Windhorst, a Republican residing in Metropolis, was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018. His legislative experience includes serving on the Restorative Justice, and Judiciary - Criminal committees.