U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin dropped by Kankakee on Wednesday to talk with school officials about plans to start an Army Junior ROTC program at the high school.

Kankakee High School has hopes of launching an Army Jr. ROTC program. And U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is in support.
Durbin visted the high school (Wednesday), hearing from officials about plan to start such a program.

Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, met with officials in the office of Superintendent Genevra Walters. Afterward, the senator gave credited to former Represenative Lisa Dugan for making contact with him to set up the local meeting. (Dugan is a candidate for her old seat in the 79th Illinois legislative district this fall).

Durbin plans to seek competitive funding for the Army program. Superintendent Walters said the idea of a local JROTC program was generated by student-interest.

Walters said the district planned to start a JROTC whether it received federal money or not. Economically disadvantaged districts, such as Kankakee, she said, have a better chance of winning grants.

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