2012 Press Releases
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Other IDOT-related Press Releases

NOVEMBER

November 27, 2012
SPRINGFIELD –After launching a new “Drive to Survive” media and enforcement campaign last week, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today announced a 63 percent decline in motor vehicle crash fatalities over the heavily traveled Thanksgiving weekend.

November 20, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - With thousands of motorists expected to travel on state roadways during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that non-emergency road work will be suspended where possible to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

November 20, 2012
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) launched its “Drive to Survive” campaign today and partnered with law enforcement across the state to kick off an end-of-the-year push to drive down the number of motor vehicle crash fatalities.

November 16, 2012
CHICAGO - Illinois transportation and law enforcement officials today stressed safety and urged motorists to prepare for unfavorable driving conditions this winter season. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway and the Illinois State Police (ISP) have partnered to roll out the state’s frontline winter crews and ensure that emergency equipment is ready for the upcoming snow and ice season.
Flyer

November 2, 2012
To assist with emergency relief after Hurricane Sandy, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider authorized the movement of heavy loads up to 14 feet in width and 100 feet in length on state routes, including interstates.

November 1, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is continuing preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the Corridor Expansion Program of Intercity Passenger Rail service from Chicago to the Quad Cities. The Chicago to Quad Cities Passenger Rail service is proposed to include two round trips per day (four passenger trains each day) from Chicago to the Quad Cities (Moline) and serving other intermediate locations including LaGrange, Naperville, Plano, Mendota, Princeton and Geneseo.

OCTOBER

October 29, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced that fatal crashes, injuries and the number of motorists killed in accidents involving deer declined in 2011.

October 25, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police today reiterated key traffic safety messages such as “please celebrate the holiday responsibly” and “keep the party off the road.” IDOT, law enforcement and safety advocates reminded Halloween participants that their holiday disguises will not make them invisible to police who are out looking for drunk drivers and seat belt law violators throughout the state.

October 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) joined today by the Sangamon County Health Department, first-responders and local participants kicked off the 2013 Yellow Dot program.

October 18, 2012
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today welcomed hundreds of area students to the agency’s annual Career Day conference in Chicago.

October 10, 2012
MOLINE - Governor Pat Quinn, joined by Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider and other state and local officials, today announced the plan to construct a new bridge over Illinois Route 5 and add additional lanes to eliminate a major intersection bottleneck in the area.

October 3, 2012
PEORIA – Officials from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today welcomed hundreds of central Illinois students to the agency’s first Career Day conference in Peoria. The event, which was developed to inform Illinois students of the many rewarding opportunities in the transportation industry, also attracted dozens of companies and universities from across the region.
Watch Video

SEPTEMBER

September 26, 2012
CHICAGO - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on behalf of the departments of transportation from Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri issued a Notice of Intent to Award today to Nippon-Sharyo / Sumitomo Corporation of America to design, build, and deliver 130 bi-level passenger railcars for use in regional intercity rail corridors in California and the Midwest.
IDOT Statement

September 24, 2012
SPRINGFIELD— The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today launched its 2012 Rain Barrel Design Competition to educate students on storm water management and to highlight the positive impact of green initiatives.

September 20, 2012
CHICAGO– The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Tourism (IOT) today announced that the 2012 Illinois Scenic Byway Week will take place October 6-13.

September 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s Office and AAA joined efforts today to launch the 2012 National Child Passenger Safety Week in Illinois

September 10, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider announced a new video series that will feature messages on key Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) initiatives.

September 5, 2012
CHICAGO – The departments of transportation for Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, in association with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), are announcing a series of public meetings for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will be prepared for the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Rail Corridor Program.

AUGUST

August 31, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today announced a new policy which allows farmers and other agriculture industry workers to transport hay loads of up to 12 feet in width on all state routes, including interstates. The 2012 summer drought adversely affected the production of hay due to pasture conditions, and this action will significantly improve efficiency in the processing and transportation of hay throughout Illinois. Previously, farmers were permitted to transport hay loads up to 12 feet in width on state roadways, but did not include the use of interstates.

August 30, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - With thousands of motorists expected to travel on state roadways during the Labor Day holiday, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that non-emergency road work will be suspended where possible to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

August 29, 2012
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Police and nearly 350 local law enforcement agencies today are gearing up to increase patrol activities for Labor Day weekend in order to make Illinois roadways safer for the heavily traveled holiday.

August 23, 2012
Portions of Illinois and other states are experiencing a significant drought. This drought is adversely affecting hay production and pasture conditions for the agriculture industry across the region. To assist the agriculture industry, loads of hay, transported by truck or truck tractors as defined by 625 ILCS 5/1-211 and 625 ILCS 5/1-212, not exceeding 12 feet in width are hereby authorized to be transported on Illinois Interstates with the following restrictions:

August 22, 2012
SCHAUMBURG – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider, joined by the Illinois State Police and the American Traffic Safety Services Association at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Region 1 Headquarters, unveiled the National Work Zone Memorial Wall, a touring memorial that serves as a living tribute to those who lost their lives in work zones.

August 20, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced the opening of its Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort, and highlighted information depicting the frequent tragedy experienced when a motorist chooses to drive a vehicle after consuming too much alcohol.

August 14, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider announced today a new website to help promote the department’s latest work zone safety campaign entitled “Embrace the Orange.” As a part of the campaign, the motoring public is encouraged to sign the Work Zone Safety Pledge featured on the new site. The campaign goals are to reduce work zone crashes and fatalities on Illinois roadways.

August 10, 2012
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) officials were joined today by representatives from the Ford Motor Company Fund, The Allstate Foundation, the Illinois Secretary of State and state police to kick-off the sixth year of Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) at the state fairgrounds. The statewide program, led by IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety, is the first-of-its kind across the nation, and has contributed to a 48 percent decline in teen fatalities over the past five years.

August 9, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider announced today that Illinois will receive $13.5 million in federal grants for highway projects. The funding was awarded last week by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to fund various highway projects ranging from interstate rehabilitation and reconstruction to safety technologies. The goal of the funding is to improve safety and reduce congestion nationwide.
FHWA FY12 Discretionary Grant List

August 8, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced that traffic pattern changes around the 2012 Illinois State Fair will be implemented starting tomorrow to increase safety and accommodate the parade along with anticipated traffic. Similar to last year, traffic patterns will be changed to a counterclockwise one-way pattern on streets around the state fairgrounds from Thursday morning, August 9, to Monday morning, August 20.

August 3, 2012
CHICAGO – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today unveiled a new video, honoring the Chicago “DODO” Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. The video, featuring original members of the Tuskegee Airmen, is being displayed at the northbound Prairie View rest area on Interstate 57 in Will County, just south of the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail, which was dedicated by Governor Pat Quinn in February.

JULY

July 26, 2012
The Illinois and Indiana Departments of Transportation (IDOT and INDOT) are holding a public hearing to discuss the Illiana Corridor

July 25, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has reached a major milestone after receiving approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to implement a special provision that allows a $10 per hour training incentive to prime contractors who hire graduates of IDOT’s Highway Construction Careers Training Program to work on federally funded projects. The incentive already was in place for state-funded projects. Illinois is one of the few states to receive federal approval for a pre-apprenticeship program of this kind.

July 19, 2012
Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider was pleased to accept an award on behalf of the agency for “Best Innovation” for the Interstate 55 Reconstruction Project in Madison County from the Mid America Regional America's Transportation Awards competition.

July 10, 2012
Governor Pat Quinn today signed a law to begin the next phase of his historic Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, which will create jobs, strengthen our transportation system and support economic growth across Illinois. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, local officials and labor representatives joined the governor as he signed House Bill 4568, authorizing the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to proceed with $1.6 billion worth of road, rail and transit projects across Illinois.
Illinois Job Now (IJN) Project Listing
City of Chicago Projects

July 8, 2012
Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today kicked off a statewide digital message board campaign to help reduce roadway fatalities occurring this year. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will rotate four key traffic safety messages daily starting Monday, July 9, in conjunction with a social media and internet page presence.

July 3, 2012
HARRISBURG – Illinois transportation officials today joined state and local dignitaries in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of a $14.1 million improvement project on Illinois Route 13, which built a four-lane cross section with modern design, turn lanes and signals.

July 2, 2012
IDOT Suspends Non-Emergency Road Work to Improve Traffic Flow for Independence Day

July 2, 2012
MACOMB – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider today joined state, regional and local dignitaries in Macomb to break ground on the Macomb Bypass project, connecting the four-lane IL 336 expressway to the US 67 expressway north of Macomb.

JUNE

June 28, 2012
SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today was joined by officials from the City of Springfield to announce a planned $8.6 million commitment toward the Phase II engineering studies on high-speed rail service on a consolidated 10th Street corridor through Springfield, should that be the chosen corridor in the Record of Decision. The planned commitment coincides with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s approval to release Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) on future enhancements to the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed route currently under construction.

June 27, 2012
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and hundreds of local law enforcement agencies around the state today reminded motorists to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” this weekend and through Independence Day. The State Police and other law enforcement agencies across Illinois are participating in the annual Independence Day intensive crackdown on drunk driving and seat belt law violators.

June 20, 2012
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the State of Illinois a $10.4 million grant from the fourth round of the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER IV) program.

MAY

May 24, 2012
IDOT Suspends Non-Emergency Road Work to Improve Traffic Flow During Holiday Weekend

May 23, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) today announced their plans to heighten enforcement efforts during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. Hundreds more safety belt enforcement zones and other patrols are planned over the heavily-traveled holiday weekend.

May 22, 2012
ROCKFORD – Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider was joined by Mayor Larry Morrissey and other local officials today for the grand opening of the Rockford Mass Transit District’s new East Side Transfer Center. The project, funded in part by $734,382 from Governor Pat Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, created an estimated 100 construction jobs, while providing a convenient transfer point for service between Rockford and Belvidere, as well as a national intercity bus stop along Interstate 90.

May 15, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) today announced their plans to heighten enforcement efforts leading up and through the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Hundreds more safety belt enforcement zones and other patrols are planned over the historically and heavily-traveled holiday weekend. In addition, IDOT also launched a new Click It or Ticket public service announcement to further remind motorists the importance of buckling up.

May 11, 2012
Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will adjust its multi-year transportation program to include a $72-million commitment to constructing a new Interstate 74 bridge across the Mississippi River in Quad Cities.

May 9, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is updating the Long- Range State Transportation Plan and will be conducting six public open houses to seek input to ensure that transportation policies reflect the needs of Illinois citizens and transportation users. The plan is required by both federal and state regulations and is to be completed by December 31, 2012. The plan will encompass all modes of transportation and will provide a framework for the department to address current and future needs.

May 9, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and safety advocacy partners today honored 12 students from across the state whose artwork was selected in the 2011-2012 Illinois Work Zone Safety Calendar Contest. The drawings of the finalists will appear in the 2013 Illinois Work Zone Safety Calendar, which will be distributed at IDOT events across Illinois.

May 2, 2012
SPRINGFIELD – With motorcycle riding season officially under way, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police, Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), and A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) teamed up to kick off the “Start Seeing Motorcycles” campaign across the state and urge all motorists to share the road. Governor Pat Quinn also demonstrated his strong support for motorcycle safety and issued a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month in Illinois.

APRIL

April 30, 2012
Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today unveiled “Transforming Transportation for Tomorrow,” the state’s first multi-modal transportation improvement program. The new program document combines the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) newly proposed multi-year highway program for FY 2013-2018 with the proposed multi-year programs for public transportation (FY 2013-2017), rail (FY 2013-2017) and aeronautics (FY 2013-2015), and is being introduced in a new streamlined format to reinforce the multi-modal nature of transportation in Illinois.

April 27, 2012
Marking national Earth Week in Illinois, Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider today highlighted several innovative sustainability practices and programs under way across the state. Schneider underscored the department’s commitment to activities that build environmental awareness, preserve state funds, and make the most effective use of existing public resources.

April 25, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced they will host a free highway maintainer veteran resource fair on May 2 at the Quincy Public Library.  Participants will learn what it takes to become a highway maintainer. Session information will include position qualifications, employment application, testing procedure, and commercial driver’s license (CDL) upgrade details.

April 24, 2012
As the 2012 construction season gets into full swing, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Illinois State Police (ISP), Local Laborers Union, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association and other highway safety partners today launched the Embrace the Orange campaign and announced their participation in National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 23-27.

April 23, 2012
Governor Pat Quinn announced today that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will begin engineering studies for a major reconstruction project to add much-needed capacity to the Circle Interchange in the heart of Chicago. The interchange, where the Kennedy, Dan Ryan and Eisenhower expressways converge, along with Congress Parkway, carries more than 300,000 vehicles a day and remains widely regarded as one of the nation’s worst bottlenecks.

April 19, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced they will host a free highway maintainer information session on April 27 and 28 in Peoria at the Workforce Network Conference Center. Participants will learn what it takes to become a highway maintainer.

April 5, 2012
With thousands of motorists expected to travel on state roadways over Easter weekend, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that road work will be suspended where possible for the weekend to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

April 5, 2012
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are reminding motorists to be alert for farm equipment.

April 3, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation, The Ford Motor Company Fund, The Allstate Foundation, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, and Illinois State Police (ISP) today announced the seven winning schools from the 2011-2012 Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program.

MARCH

March 28, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today kicked off their “Gear Up for a Safe Ride” campaign in partnership with the Illinois State Police (ISP), Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) and A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education (ABATE).

March 15, 2012
As St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will soon be under way, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) are partnering with more than 150 law enforcement agencies statewide to boost traffic safety through their Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket mobilizations.

FEBRUARY

February 29, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will host a public information meeting on the proposed five-lane expansion of Wabash Ave., from Koke Mill Road to Moffet St. in Curran. Additional improvements on various City of Springfield streets, including Hollis Drive and Cockrell Ave, have also been proposed.

February 20, 2012
Governor Pat Quinn today joined local leaders to dedicate the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Trail, which honors the fighter group’s valiant service to the United States during
World War II. Presented to the Chicago “DODO” Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, this dedication celebrates the Airmen’s commitment to our country and important place in black history. State Representative Marlow H. Colvin (D-Chicago), State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider and Markham Mayor David Webb joined Governor Quinn in commemorating the Tuskegee Airmen’s achievements. House Joint Resolution

February 17, 2012
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will host the 2012 Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward (TCTR) conference.

February 16, 2012
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Ann Schneider today announced the second annual Rain Barrel Contest, offering students a chance to earn a rain barrel by submitting artistic designs.

February 2, 2012
Across the country, millions of people will gather this weekend to watch the Super Bowl, America’s most popular sports event. To prevent fans from driving impaired, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police (ISP) today kicked off the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket campaigns for the weekend.

JANUARY

January 24, 2012
Governor Pat Quinn today announced $21.7 million in Illinois Safe Routes to School grants to schools and communities across the state. The federally-funded program is designed to enable and encourage children to walk and bike to school safely.

January 19, 2012
The Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider have been selected as “Women of the Year” by the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Greater Chicago Chapter.

January 18, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold an open house public hearing for the following two projects on protected corridors: proposed upgrade of IL 29, from a two-lane to a four-lane facility, spanning from 0.8 miles south of Berry to 1.2 miles south of Edinburg; and for the proposed upgrade of US 51, from a two-lane to four-lane expressway, ranging from 1.4 miles south of Assumption to just south of Shelby County Line.

January 11, 2012
Illinois transportation and law enforcement officials today urged motorists to prepare for winter driving conditions.

January 6, 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold an open house public hearing regarding the protected corridor for the proposed upgrade of IL 97, from a two-lane to a four-lane facility from 0.1 miles west of IL 4 to 0.5 miles west of the IL 97 / IL 125 intersection.

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