The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service announced on Tuesday that $20-million in Corporation for National and Community Service federal grants will be placed to over 1,800 AmeriCorp Members in 46 programs to help serve Illinois communities. Tuesday’s $20-million announcement represents an increase of $2.5-million over last year’s figure, allowing AmeriCorp Members to serve in 7 additional programs in Illinois. These awards include $7.4-million in education awards, for AmeriCorp members to use to help pay for college after their service. They will also use these programs to match these funds with an additional $15.7-million in local funding, bring it a total investment in communities to $35.7-million. The Rend Lake College AmeriCorp will receive nearly $1-million with the grant providing about 44-percent in federal funds, with that same figure in matching local funds. They have 60 member groups located in Alexander, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Johnson, Jefferson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Union, Washington and Williamson counties.