Trucking news and briefs for Friday, May 22, 2026:
Bill to ease vets’ path to trucking passes House
The U.S. House of Representatives this week passed a bill aimed at easing military veterans’ transition to the trucking industry.
The “Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act” allows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to approve trucking apprenticeship programs operated by commercial trucking companies, allowing veterans to use their VA benefits to attend the programs.
The American Trucking Associations voiced support for the legislation’s advancement.
“Members of our military put their lives on the line to defend our nation and our freedom. When they return home, it is our responsibility to help them achieve the American Dream they fought to protect,” said ATA Chief Advocacy & Public Affairs Officer Henry Hanscom. “By slashing bureaucratic red tape for VA education benefits, the Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would expand career paths in trucking. ATA commends Representatives [Chris] Pappas and [Jennifer] Kiggans for their bipartisan leadership on this commonsense bill that would make it easier for veterans to find good-paying jobs behind the wheel.”
The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Illinois trucking school gets state investment
An Illinois community college is getting a cash infusion to expand its trucking school.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) on Wednesday, May 20, to announced a $2.6 million investment to expand LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program.
The investment, for design and implementation of infrastructure improvements, which will create a new training site, will help meet the growing need for licensed commercial drivers, support local economic development, and provide stable career opportunities for Illinoisans, officials said.
“Truck drivers are a crucial lynchpin of the supply chains that power our economy,” Pritzker said. “With enormous demand for commercial driver’s license holders, Illinois is proudly building a skilled workforce to meet the moment. This expansion at Lincoln Land Community College demonstrates how essential community college programs are to our workforce development, economic vitality, and the livelihoods of Illinois’ working families.”
Since its inception in 1998, LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program has enrolled more than 4,000 students, with 98.5% graduating and obtaining their commercial driver’s license (CDL). The state-supported expansion comes at a critical time; there is currently a three-month waitlist for student entry into the program due to limited space, preventing timely access to high-quality workforce training and employment in commercial truck driving – a field that is imperative to the regional economy and supply chains.
“Employers across our region consistently tell us they urgently need skilled, safety-focused drivers, and that demand is evident in the strong employer interest we see even before our students graduate,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, President of LLCC. “LLCC’s program is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce quickly while meeting the highest standards for safety and professionalism. Today’s announcement represents an important opportunity for students to gain in-demand skills, for employers to find the workforce they need, and for our regional economy to continue to grow and thrive.”
LLCC’s Truck Driver Training Program provides Illinois students with training and credentials to start their careers as commercial drivers. Taught by professionals with years of teaching and over-the-road driving experience, the program combines classroom learning with a hands-on approach to obtaining a Class A CDL with all endorsements. Students can develop their communication, mechanical knowledge, and safety skills throughout the four-to-six-week program.
Kenworth offering discount for OOIDA members
Kenworth and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have teamed up to provide a $1,000 savings to OOIDA members on qualifying purchases of new Kenworth sleeper trucks during 2026.
Eligible trucks are the Kenworth T680, T880, W990 and W900 with a 52-inch or larger factory-installed sleeper. Both new stock and custom-order vehicles qualify.
“This program reflects Kenworth’s appreciation for OOIDA members who choose a premium Kenworth truck, engineered to help drivers feel at home wherever the road takes them,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing.
Buyers must show their OOIDA membership card to their Kenworth dealer at time of purchase, before Dec. 31, 2026. A copy of the bill of sale and warranty, along with the buyer’s OOIDA membership number, must be mailed to: OOIDA, P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029, or faxed to OOIDA at (816) 229-0518.
Limit for a single customer is three qualifying Kenworth trucks per year. Other limitations apply on the Kenworth rebate program. See your Kenworth dealer for more details.
