SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) announced Tuesday $20 million in Corporation for National and Community Service federal grants to place 1,830 AmeriCorps Members in 46 programs to serve Illinois communities.

Tuesday’s $20 million announcement represents an increase of $2.5 million over last year, allowing AmeriCorps Members to serve in seven additional programs.

These awards include $7.4 million in education awards that AmeriCorps Members can use to pay for college after their term of service.  AmeriCorps programs will match these funds with an additional $15.7 million in local funding.  The total investment into Illinois communities will be $35.7 million.

The Rend Lake College AmeriCorps will receive nearly $1 million with the grant providing $445,000 in federal funds and $445,000 in matching local funds.

It has 60 member groups located in Alexander, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Johnson, Jefferson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Union, Washington, Williamson counties.