SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation will be required to provide funding to create additional infrastructure, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that was signed into law today.

The measure requires IDOT to fully fund all aspects of construction projects on state roadways, including infrastructure for pedestrians walking and bicycling within one mile of a city or town. Additionally, the measure requires IDOT to complete any of these unfinished infrastructure projects in municipalities with a population of 1,000 or more.

“Constituents voiced their concern about kids having to walk in the street to get to and from school,” Belt said. “With this funding, parents can trust that their children are traveling safely to and from school.”

Currently, IDOT covers 100% of the roadway construction, but requires 20% of costs associated with pedestrian infrastructure projects, like sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes, to be funded by the municipality where the project is located, which can be a large burden for some cities – particularly lower-income communities. 

“Many towns and cities that are left with unfinished infrastructure projects, including sidewalks, simply cannot afford to finish these projects,” Belt said. “This will help them cut into that long backlog, particularly for lower-income communities that need sidewalk projects to be finished with IDOT funding.”

According to the Metropolitan Planning Council, the states that cover 100% of state roadway projects, including pedestrian infrastructure, include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Massachusetts, Delaware, and New Jersey.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2022.