2018 Illinois Sustainable
Transportation Platform
Illinois’ next governor and general assembly have an
opportunity to transform the state’s transportation
network to better meet the needs of today’s residents
and future generations. People across the state
are demanding more transportation options, and
employers recognize the value of locating in walk-,
bike- and transit-friendly communities. This is
critical to ensuring Illinois remains a place people
choose to live.
Public investments in walking, biking and transit
projects have proven to enhance the safety, health,
sustainability and equity of Illinois’ communities at
a significantly lower cost than traditional roadway
projects. Studies show building infrastructure like
sidewalks, trails and bike lanes creates more than
10 jobs for every $1 million invested – about 50
percent more than car-only road projects.
State officials must build upon this momentum
and work together to make it safer, easier and
more affordable to get around without a car in
cities and towns statewide.
Active Transportation Alliance is a non-partisan
member organization that does not endorse
candidates for public office. The mission of Active
Transportation Alliance is to promote walking,
bicycling and public transit to create healthy,
sustainable and equitable communities.
The following platform is intended as an educational
resource to inform the public and candidates for
state office about current priorities and opportunities
for improving walking, biking and public transit, as
identified by our members, supporters and staff.
DEDICATE FUNDING TO SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
CONTEXT: Unlike many of its state department of
transportation peers, the Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT) currently sets aside a very
limited amount of state-generated funds and the
minimum required level of federal funds in support
of walking and bicycling. Illinois contributes no annual
capital funds to public transit, and state operating
funds for transit have been cut several times
in recent years.
We call on the next governor and general
assembly to:
• Restore operations funding for transit agencies in
the Chicago region that was cut in 2018 budget
agreement
– Reverse 5 percent cut in the Public
Transportation Fund
– Eliminate 1.5 percent fee for local governments
that cost Chicago-area transit agencies
$24 million annually
• Include a new Bike-Walk Fund in the state budget
with a target annual appropriation of $50 million in
state funds (approximately 2 percent of the overall
annual IDOT budget), in addition to federal funds
available for walking and biking
• Sign an infrastructure bill with sustainable
revenue sources dedicated to transit, biking and
walking projects – including at least 40 percent of
transportation funds for public transit projects
– Any new revenue should go through a
performance-based planning and
evaluation process
REFORM STATE TRANSPORTATION
POLICY TO TAKE A MORE MULTIMODAL
APPROACH
CONTEXT: Illinois policy frequently prioritizes the
swift movement of cars above more cost-effective,
equitable and sustainable modes of transportation
and the safety of all road users. Implementation of
the state’s Complete Streets law – designed to protect
and encourage walking, biking and public transit – has
encountered problems and has not been adequately
reviewed and updated since its 2010 policy adoption.
We call on the next governor and general
assembly to:
• Reform IDOT project development processes to
prioritize the safety of nonmotorized users and
always include biking and walking facilities in state
transportation projects where there is need
• Reform IDOT policies to support building more and
better biking and walking facilities on state routes
• Revise state roadway design manuals to encourage
designs that slow traffic to safe speeds in areas
with high numbers of people walking and biking
• Eliminate requirement for local governments
to provide matching funds for Complete Streets
features like sidewalks, pedestrian refuge islands
and bike lanes on state routes
• Direct IDOT to conduct an evaluation of the
implementation of the state’s Complete Streets
policy, filling gaps in pedestrian sidewalk and
intersection design policies and analyzing the
equitable distribution of facilities in low-income
communities
• Allow for spot biking and pedestrian improvements
as part of street resurfacing projects
• Sign legislation requiring Illinois public schools
to incorporate biking and walking education into
physical education or health curricula
• Direct IDOT to fill the vacant statewide bicycle policy
engineer position and create a pedestrian policy
engineer position
• Implement outstanding action items from the
state’s 2012 bicycle plan, including:
– Develop a system that prioritizes projects with
Complete Streets improvements in the multi-year
planning process
– Establish a bike planning program fund for local
communities, especially low-income
– Establish a transportation equity working group
at IDOT with a focus on increasing and improving
transportation options in communities of color
and low-income neighborhoods
CHAMPION TRANSFORMATIONAL
PROJECTS
CONTEXT: The state’s transportation investments
over the next four years will shape how Illinois
residents get around for decades and affect the
health, equity and sustainability of our communities.
Experience in Illinois and across the county shows
investments in walking, biking and public transit
carry greater long-term benefits at lower costs than
creating more space for cars.
We call on the next governor and general
assembly to:
• Develop a state policy that prioritizes lasting,
cost-effective congestion relief and alternatives to
driving, including better public transportation and
rush-hour demand management strategies, rather
than highway expansion
– The planned expansion of I-294, I-290 and I-55
would spur more travel that eliminates congestion
relief over time and create more traffic on local
streets, while providing a small increase in transit
ridership at best. These plans should be canceled
in favor of strategies that will provide lasting
congestion relief and significant increases in
public transit ridership.
• Advance a vision for the planned reconstruction
of North Lake Shore Drive and other major roadway
construction projects that reduces single occupancy
vehicle trips through the corridor
– Create a new transit corridor on North Lake
Shore Drive with its own dedicated lanes
– Enhance the newly separated Lakefront Trail
and upgrade access points with more space
and lighting
Active Transportation Alliance
35 E. Wacker Drive
Suite 1782
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312.427.3325
activetrans.org