Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced an investment exceeding $11.4 million through 30 grants aimed at supporting local planning initiatives for long-range transportation projects across the state. Governor JB Pritzker expressed his commitment to transforming the state's transportation systems, stating, "Since day one as governor, I've made it my mission to transform our state's transportation systems - from roads and bridges to railways, buses, and bike paths."

Administered by IDOT, these grants are funded with $7.3 million in federal funds, supplemented by $788,000 from the state and $3.3 million from local governments. The initiative aims to advance the goals of the Illinois Long-Range Transportation Plan by considering criteria such as asset-management strategies and performance-based planning.

Applicants for these grants included local and state agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning commissions, and nonprofit entities with public sponsors. Among the selected projects is Cook County's 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan which focuses on transit importance and non-motorized transportation. Lee-Ogle Transportation's project addresses underserved areas to improve socioeconomic opportunities. The Great Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission plans to develop bicycle networks in Pinckneyville, Du Quoin, and West Frankfort.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman remarked on the partnership efforts: "Thanks to Gov. Pritzker's leadership, we are partnering with communities throughout the state to get them the tools they need to reimagine how they want transportation to work for their residents."

This funding complements Governor Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program passed in 2019. The program invests a total of $33.2 billion into updating Illinois' aging transportation infrastructure over six years.

For more details on awards and funding sources, visit IDOT's Illinois Long-Range Transportation Plan page.