Ammons Congratulates Parkland on $3.5 Million for Dental Facility and Program Expansion

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, released the following statement highlighting the approval of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request, investing $3.5 million into Parkland College’s dental program.

“Parkland is a vital resource in our community, offering tactical higher education that truly prepares its students for the workforce. Having people educated in your community, and then working in your community, builds an innate trust between patients and any medical team, and because of Parkland we see this throughout our medical field across Champaign and Urbana.

“This $3.5 million investment will not just allow Parkland’s dental program to grow physically, by constructing a new clinic and training facility, but the entire dental program will be improved. Their sought after program brings students into our community, and the opportunity to work in Champaign and Urbana keeps them here.

“This program deserves this investment for a multitude of reasons; importantly, Parkland’s dental program serves approximately 500 in-need community members. Parkland does the work for their students and for our community, and that cannot be overlooked.

“Congratulations to Parkland College on their upcoming expansion of their dental program. Thank you to Senator Dick Durbin for advocating for our community and securing this funding. I look forward to seeing Parkland continue to grow and thrive!”