The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Tollway announced on April 21 the start of National Work Zone Awareness Week, encouraging drivers to prioritize safety as construction season begins across the state. The campaign, themed “Safe Actions Save Lives,” aims to remind motorists that everyone—workers, drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians—is affected by work zone safety.
The week underscores the importance of caution in work zones as construction activity increases during spring. Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed April 20-24 as “Work Zone Safety Awareness Week” in Illinois to highlight heightened risks associated with roadwork.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said, “At IDOT, we are doing more than ever this year to fix and modernize roads and bridges. Please remember to remain alert for work zones, slow down and give our crews plenty of room to do their jobs. The people wearing the vests behind the cones and barricades want to get home at the end of the day, just like you.”
State police have already responded to 640 crashes in work zones within the first three months of 2026 alone—91 resulting in injuries—according to ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Safety is a shared responsibility when driving through road construction work zones,” Kelly said. “It’s simple: Slow down and pay attention when driving through work zones to keep road workers, you and other drivers safe.”
New initiatives this year include a data feed connecting with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Work Zone Data Exchange so mapping apps can share real-time information about active projects with users. Other measures involve expanding photo enforcement vans near construction sites and deploying more temporary rumble strips.
Cassaundra Rouse, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway said: “At the Illinois Tollway, safety is at the core of everything we do… When we each take responsibility, we help ensure everyone gets home safely.”
Buildings and bridges statewide will be lit orange throughout this week as part of awareness efforts. Additional outreach includes distributing informational materials at rest areas on how travelers can stay safe while passing through work zones.
