Education
Long before I was a businessman or a physicist, I was a curious kid. I was always taking things apart to see how they worked, or trying to make something new. It was this curiosity combined with the excellent education I received from public schools and universities that led me to start a business with my brother and to later pursue a career as a physicist. As our economy becomes increasingly STEM-based, it has never been more important to ensure our students are getting the education and training they will need to thrive. I support the right of every young person to have access to a high quality, affordable education that does not leave students with crippling debt. A good education is the key to future economic success. That’s why I support the use of public funds for public education. Every student in this country should have the resources they need to succeed regardless of their zip code.
My Work on Education
Joliet, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that the University of St. Francis will receive an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the amount of $649,677. The funding will be provided through the NSF’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program and will help support the university with retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need.
Joliet, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that the University of St. Francis will receive an award from the National Science Foundation in the amount of $957,217. The funding will provide scholarships and stipends for undergraduate STEM majors who are pursuing teaching careers at high-need high schools. USF will use the award to increase the number of STEM majors successfully completing biology and mathematics licensure for secondary education.
Joliet, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that Joliet Junior College has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for $89,769. The funding is provided as part of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS). The CCAMPIS program helps to provide child care options for student-parents enrolled in higher education.
An innovation hub already is drawing young, tech-savvy talent to the Naperville area to design the machines of the future.
The new high-tech incubator along the Interstate 88 high-tech corridor, known as Hub88, is on schedule to officially open sometime in September, said Glenn Luckinbill, one of organizers.
Kids, however, are getting an early chance to experience what Hub88 has in store for them this summer.
Naperville, IL - Last night, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) hosted a community forum to discuss gun violence. Over 300 people attended Community Christian Church to listen to speakers and ask questions.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement for the national gun violence walkout:
WASHINGTON, DC - As expected, President Trump’s budget proposes to follow up massive Republican tax cuts for the wealthy with cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, science, and education, while wasting countless taxpayer dollars on his wall with Mexico and unchecked military spending.
WASHINGTON, DC - I was disappointed in the President's address tonight. Once again, President Trump has failed to unite the country and offer Congress tangible policy proposals that would actually grow our economy. I am ready and willing to work with my Republican colleagues to rebuild and repair our infrastructure, grow our economy, and combat the opioid epidemic. But I did not hear the President discuss how he would achieve these goals without burdening our children with future debt.
Usually when U.S. Rep. Bill Foster visits a school in his district, he's checking out the science projects students created.
While the subject of science came up Wednesday afternoon, students from Metea Valley High School were more interested in the Naperville congressman's take on the recent government shutdown and net neutrality.
Nearly 100 students grilled Foster on those subjects and other matters the teens deemed important, such as the opioid crisis, global warming, and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Ending a tax deduction for interest paid on student loans. Raising taxes for more than 100,000 graduate students who receive tuition waivers. Imposing a levy on endowments at certain private colleges and universities.
These actions are anathema to higher education leaders across the country. Yet they all appear in the House-approved Republican tax overhaul, evidence of a growing disconnect between large segments of the GOP and colleges that, for generations, have wielded enormous clout on Capitol Hill.