Chicago Construction News staff writer
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) last week unveiled the largest multi-year transportation program in state history, committing $50.6 billion over six years to roads, bridges, transit, rail, aviation, waterways, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements across Illinois.
The program builds on the Rebuild Illinois capital initiative and includes $400 million for 223 local projects, ranging from street and transit upgrades to bike and pedestrian improvements. The local projects prioritize disadvantaged or economically distressed communities and include mandatory Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goals to support small, local minority- and women-owned firms.
“Today, I’m proud to launch the latest roadmap – the largest in the history of the Illinois Department of Transportation,” said Governor Pritzker. “Over the next six years, we’ll continue investing across the board in order to build the best infrastructure system in the nation – and create good jobs for Illinoisans in the process.”
The new fiscal year 2026-31 multi-year program allocates $32.5 billion for state and local roads and bridges, including $5.5 billion for the current fiscal year, and $18.1 billion for other modes, with $13.8 billion for transit, $2.9 billion for freight and passenger rail, $1.2 billion for aviation, and $200 million for ports and waterways. On the highway side, the plan will improve 7,107 lane miles of roads and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck, with local governments overseeing more than 1,300,000 square feet of bridges and 1,654 lane miles.
Labor and construction leaders welcomed the announcement.
“Governor Pritzker recognizes the critical need to modernize Illinois’ infrastructure, and we appreciate his steadfast leadership,” said James P. Connolly, Business Manager of the LIUNA Chicago Laborers’ District Council. “Our members are ready to put this historic investment to work building a stronger economy and brighter future for communities across the state.”
Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, added: “These funds ensure that Illinois not only prioritizes necessary upgrades and maintenance to keep our communities safe, but also utilizes high-quality, union labor, creating good paying jobs across the state.”
Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, said the investment will “create good union jobs, improve Illinoisans’ quality of life, and solidify our place as a major economic engine.”
Other construction leaders echoed the importance of the program:
-
James M. Sweeney, IUOE Local 150 President-Business Manager: “These investments will help to ease congestion, support economic growth by moving goods and people more efficiently, and benefit communities by improving safety and access. When we invest in infrastructure, we invest in workers, families, and the future of our state.”
-
Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council: “These investments mean steady work for our members for years to come and infrastructure improvements that will serve communities for generations.”
-
Mike Macellaio, President, Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council: “We are proud to stand with the Governor as he invests in projects that support good jobs and stronger communities.”
The announcement was made at the LIUNA training center on Chicago’s West Side, highlighting the skilled trades that will be central to delivering this historic program. Since its launch in 2019, Rebuild Illinois has completed roughly $20.8 billion in improvements, covering 21,309 lane miles of highway, 815 bridges, and 1,181 additional safety improvements.
With this new six-year program, Illinois continues its commitment to building safe, modern, and equitable infrastructure while supporting union labor and local economic growth.
