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.
More on Education
Joliet, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster announced that Joliet Junior College (JJC) will receive a $413,956 grant through the Strengthening Institutions Program of the United States Department of Education.
The grant funding will support JJC's Progressive Pathways to Student Success, an initiative aimed at increasing student retention and completion by investing in technology, customizing outreach to students, and enhancing support systems to assist students in developing a career path.
Jane Donahue, Sun-Times
Yasha Mostofi, a senior at Naperville North High School, was named the inaugural winner of the 11th Congressional District House App Challenge, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) academic competition.
"I think it's great that the House of Representatives is taking initiatives to promote STEM at the high school level," said Mostofi, 17. "Furthermore, winning this contest, and participating in it, has helped me realize that computer science and programming are what I want to do in the future."
Ron Kremer, Bolingbrook Patch
U.S. Congressman Bill Foster visited B.J. Ward Elementary School Thursday, talking with students about the importance of going to college and also taking a tour of the school's computer lab.
Rex Robinson, Times Weekly
Will County officials had a chance to showcase some new technology while at the same time talk about the need for better training programs aimed at preparing people for manufacturing jobs of the future.
With dismal unemployment rates of 13.5 percent in Joliet 10 percent in Romeoville and more than 9 percent in surrounding communities such as Bolingbrook, Lockport and Plainfield, the Mobile Fabrication Lab's roll into the parking lot of Joliet Junior College represented a beacon a hope for U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Naperville) and other community officials.
Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News
It's not so out-of-reach to think the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators could get their inspiration from inside a modest looking mobile unit or workshop called a "Fab Lab."
On Monday, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's mobile Fab Lab that has been touring the country was parked out front of the SciTech Museum on Benton Street in Aurora.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10), Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) and Bill Foster (IL-11) voted in favor of the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act (HR 1911), a bipartisan compromise that reverses the July 1 doubling of student loan interest rates from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.
Hank Beckman, Naperville Sun
With the U.S. Congress failing to act, interest rates on federally-subsidized student loans doubled this week.
Effective July 1, the rates for Federal Stafford Loans went from 3.4 to 6.8 percent, meaning that without congressional action, the 7 million students using the program will see a $4,000 increase on their average debt of $27,000.
Many area colleges, including College of DuPage, are taking action to notify parents and students applying for the fall semester what might await them in the future.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Tammy Duckworth, Bill Foster and Brad Schneider are calling on Congress to take action to stop the student loan interest rate increase. If no action is taken before July 1, student loan interest rates will double, jumping from 3.4% to 6.8% for federally subsidized student loans. This is the last week for Congress to take action before the rate increase takes effect.
Positively Naperville
Students from Neuqua Valley High School recently placed second in the 10th annual national SIFMA Foundation Stock Market Game or "Capitol Hill Challenge."
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster is calling on Congress to take action to stop the student loan interest rate increase. If no action is taken, student loan interest will double on July 1st, jumping from 3.4% to 6.8% for federally subsidized student loans. Reports have shown that growing student debt is having negative effects on the economy, including delayed home ownership. Congressman Foster is calling on House Republican Leadership to allow a vote on legislation to stop this rate increase.