Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Tollway Board of Directors has approved four professional engineering services contracts worth over $18.3 million during its October meeting. The contracts include two Partnering for Growth agreements and one Reverse Partnering for Growth agreement. Cassaundra Rouse, Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway, said, "Partnering for Growth agreements are helping us to build and support a strong pool of businesses working on Tollway contracts."

The initiative encourages prime consultants and contractors to assist disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB) in becoming self-sufficient and competitive. Reverse Partnering for Growth allows large firms to mentor D/M/WBE or VOSB firms leading a Tollway professional services contract.

The awarded contracts include: a $7.3 million contract with GFT Infrastructure Inc. for design services on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88); a $5.5 million contract with Illinois Construction & Environmental Consulting Inc. for construction management on the new I-490 Tollway; a $3 million contract with Delta Engineering Group for systemwide design services; and a $2.5 million contract with Milhouse Engineering & Construction Inc. for toll plaza improvements.

These contracts involve 12 certified D/M/WBE firms and three certified veteran-owned firms, with participation commitments ranging from 32.62% to 78% per contract for D/M/WBE firms, and 5% to 6% per contract for veteran participation.

In 2025, the Illinois Tollway has approved more than $389.1 million in contracts as part of its Move Illinois capital program and Bridging the Future plan. The Move Illinois program is a 16-year, $15 billion initiative aimed at improving mobility and infrastructure across Northern Illinois.

Professional engineering services contracts are selected based on qualifications according to state law, while construction contracts are competitively bid under the Illinois Procurement Code.

The Illinois Tollway broadcasts all public meetings online at www.illinoistollway.com, where detailed information about current construction projects can also be found.

Information from this article can be found here.