Jesse White Awards Over $530,000 Project Next Generation Grants

Funds provide technology and mentors to help at-risk youth

 Jesse White Awards Over $530,000 Project Next Generation Grants

Funds provide technology and mentors to help at-risk youth


Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded $530,104 in 2022 Project Next Generation (PNG) grants to 28 public libraries statewide. PNG is a mentoring program administered through Illinois public libraries. Project mentors work with middle and high school students as the participants develop skills to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning and gain life skills, such as effective communication, goal setting and conflict resolution.

“I am committed to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Illinois,” said White. “I established this innovative program when I first became Secretary of State to give students an opportunity to receive hands-on experience with the latest technological tools at their local library.”
PNG Grant recipients include the following public libraries:
  • Anne West Lindsey District Library (Carterville) – $17,057
  • Beardstown Houston Memorial Public Library – $14,450
  • Bensenville Community Public Library – $36,800
  • Bradley Public Library District – $7,212
  • Brimfield Public Library District – $36,230
  • Carbondale Public Library – $25,960
  • Chicago Public Library – $40,000
  • Chicago Ridge Public Library – $4,015
  • Eldorado Memorial Public Library District – $25,680
  • Elmwood Park Public Library – $12,500
  • Evanston Public Library – $39,528
  • Harrisburg Public Library District – $4,997
  • Ida Public Library(Belvidere) – $10,720
  • Kankakee Public Library – $17,000



  • LaSalle Public Library – $38,000
  • Lillie M. Evans Library District (Princeville) – $12,838
  • Marion Carnegie Library – $33,116
  • Matteson Area Public Library District – $18,600
  • Mattoon Public Library – $8,928
  • Mississippi Valley Library District (Collinsville) – $13,402
  • Moline Public Library – $16,200
  • North Riverside Public Library District – $12,869
  • Richton Park Public Library District – $12,000
  • Robert R. Jones Public Library District (Coal Valley) – $11,819
  • Schaumburg Township District Library – $29,238
  • Sparta Public Library – $8,032
  • Thornton Public Library – $14,000
  • Wood Dale Public Library District – $8,913

  • Anne West Lindsey District Library (Carterville) - $15,427
  • Beardstown Houston Memorial Public Library - $9,580
  • Bradley Public Library District - $20,670
  • Brimfield Public Library District - $36,190
  • Carbondale Public Library - $23,043
  • Chicago Public Library - $40,000
  • Chicago Ridge Public Library - $9,076
  • Danville Public Library - $22,479
  • Eldorado Memorial Public Library District - 25,414
  • Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library (Sullivan) - $6364
  • Elmwood Park Public Library - $12,500
  • Evanston Public Library - $39,899
  • Harrisburg Public Library District - $8,281
  • Kankakee Public Library - $17,000
  • Kewanee Public Library District - $14,580


  • LaSalle Public Library - $27,500
  • Lillie M. Evans Library District (Princeville) - $7,320
  • Marion Carnegie Library - $35,100
  • Matteson Area Public Library District - $18,500
  • Mississippi Valley Library District (Collinsville) - $27,463
  • Moline Public Library - $15,400
  • North Riverside Public Library District - $12,122
  • Pekin Public Library - $26,917
  • Peoria Public Library - $12,500
  • Richton Park Public Library District - $11,500
  • Robert R. Jones Public Library District (Coal Valley) - $26,893
  • Schaumburg Township District Library-$28,640
  • Sparta Public Library - $9,000

Projects were awarded grants from the Illinois State Library using federal Library Services and Technology Act funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Grants are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations. For more information, visit https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/grants/png.html.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Quandra-Urban Market Exchange