Elik, Harriss Visit CAVC Expansion Project Site

llinois State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) toured the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) expansion site to get a firsthand look at building progress and to learn more about plans for the expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

CAVC Director Joe McGinnis led the tour to share the vision of what each of the large spaces will become and how the state-of-the-art facility will benefit students, as well as local trades and professions who are looking for skilled workers.

McGinnis, Harriss and Elik were joined by Ryan Savage from Holland Construction, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich and Collinsville High School Assistant Principal Philip Carter.

Harriss and Elik are among the local state legislators who have supported and advocated for the project. The CAVC expansion, which broke ground in March 2025, is expected to be operational for the 2026-27 school year.

Once completed, the new and improved CAVC will serve as a bigger pipeline for the trades, service industry, education careers and healthcare occupations. The result will be more opportunities for students from Collinsville and eleven other area high schools in Madison and St. Clair Counties; the potential to include additional high schools in CTE education; and a skilled workforce for current and future businesses.

The new facility is located at the intersection of South Morrison and Caseyville Roads in Collinsville, Ill. The property is located across from the existing CAVC building and Collinsville High School campus.

About CAVC: The Collinsville Area Vocational Center was built in 1971 and is one of 24 Area Vocational Centers in Illinois. It currently serves students from ten high schools in Madison and St. Clair Counties, including: Civic Memorial High School, Collinsville High School, Dupo High School, East Alton-Wood River High School, Edwardsville High School, Highland High School, Lebanon High School, Mascoutah High School, Roxana High School and Triad High School. Madison High School and O'Fallon Township High School will begin sending students in the 2026-27 school year, bringing the total number of schools to twelve.