Illinois quick hits: State installs EV chargers; apprenticeship grants announced

Fatal shooting in Metro East

Two people are dead and one injured after a shooting outside a East St. Louis bar. The shooting occurred during the early morning hours Wednesday outside the DaBlitz Sports Bar and Grill.

The East St. Louis Police Department and Illinois State Police responded to the scene. Police said two men were struck by gunfire and were pronounced dead at the scene. A woman was also shot and transported to the hospital.

No suspects are in custody.

State installs EV chargers

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced the opening of the first four electric vehicle charging sites under the Illinois EPA's Driving a Cleaner Illinois program.

The 16 charging ports at four charging sites are located at gas stations in Beach Park, Le Roy, South Beloit and Troy. The new sites represent the first of more than 2,600 public DC fast charge and Level 2 ports the Illinois EPA plans to deploy across the state.

Apprenticeship grants announced

Thousands of Illinois youth will be able to pursue careers operating heavy machinery under a new federal grant program announced Wednesday aimed at addressing a workforce shortage.

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski joined officials with the Youth Workforce Development Foundation, affiliated with SkillsUSA Illinois, and the Associated Equipment Distributors at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield to announce nearly $8 million in funding through the Apprenticeships Builds America federal program.

The groups will work in Illinois to help schools provide the necessary heavy equipment training programs.