Illinois Transportation Alternatives Program Profile
Illinois Prairie Path | Photo by TrailLink user dj123_45
State DOT Program Staff
State DOT TA Coordinator
John Paris
Bureau of Planning
Illinois Department of Transportation
2300 S Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62764
Tel: 217-524-6756
Email: DOT.ITEP@Illinois.gov
FHWA Division TA Coordinator
Lauren Niepert
FHWA – IL Division
130 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Suite A
Springfield, IL 62703
Tel: 217-492-4830
Email: lauren.niepert@dot.gov
State DOT Website: Illinois Department of Transportation
TA Program Structure, Policies, and Procedures
- Application timeline: Funding cycles are every other year. The next application cycle will begin in August 2026. Please see website for more information.
- TA program structure: ITEP is a reimbursable grant program, which requires an interagency/joint funding agreement that details the project scope of work and cost participation.
- Application tips: Projects must have an eligible sponsor, related to surface transportation, fit within one of the eligible categories, be selected through a competitive process and comply with any additional IDOT policies as outlined in the guidelines.
- Who is eligible to apply: Local government, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies, school districts, non-profit partners, tribal governments, MPOs representing a population of 200,000 or fewer, and the State at the request of another eligible entity
- Application components: Community Score through GIS mapping tool, uniform grant application, risk assessment, budget, affidavit of disclosure of conflicts of interest, government resolution, cost estimate, project map, allowance letter, colored photographs, public involvement, letter of support
- Selection criteria: Eligibility, strength of transportation relationship, category intent, public benefits and accessibility, cost effectiveness, project support and local commitment, connectivity to existing facilities, prior sponsor investment, inclusion in TIP or STIP, planning and coordination, project sponsor capacity and past performance, project readiness, land acquisition, ROW, engineering status, application completeness, safety improvements
- Is there an advisory committee?: Yes
- Advisory committee members: Reviewers consist of MPOs, IDOT districts, other state agencies and internal IDOT staff
- Project award minimum: None
- Project award maximum: $3 million
- Matching policies: Up to 20%; the match is determined on a sliding scale based on the Community Map score
More information on ITEP can be found here.
