As roadway construction shifts into high gear, the Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to slow down and take extra precautions in work zones to protect themselves, construction and roadway workers, and emergency responders they’re likely to encounter while traveling this year on the Tollway system.

To help highlight the need for extra vigilance in work zones, the Tollway is joining with other transportation agencies, Illinois State Police, as well as construction and labor groups, to make the 2023 construction season a safe one for everyone. National Work Zone Awareness Week – Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21 – provided an opportunity as a way to publicly remind drivers "You Play A Role in Work Zone Safety. Work With Us."

Reminding drivers that they play a critical role in maintaining safe work zones, the Illinois Tollway joined other safety and transportation agencies, industry partners and construction workers to mark National Work Zone Awareness Week.

With roadway construction occurring across Illinois, including nearly $1.5 billion the Tollway plans to invest in reconstructing and expanding its 294-mile system, drivers need to slow down, put away electronic devices and remember that “You play a role in work zone safety.”

When the Illinois Tollway began building a new state-of-the-art maintenance facility in Hoffman Estates, it also built a new path for a small stream crossing the property as part of a sophisticated drainage system that will help protect local water quality.

Engineers realigned a small existing stream to add more turns and bends to slow the speed of water moving through it, which helps prevent pollutants or excess nutrients in stormwater from flowing off the site.

To train the Illinois Tollway’s Aurora (M-8) maintenance facility crew to safely and effectively do their jobs, M-8 Manager Brian Fuqua uses a tried-and-true technique he used when he was a high school football coach: circuit training. 

Just like athletes get conditioned by performing a variety of exercises, the 27 roadway maintenance workers at M-8 gear up for what can be a sometimes dangerous job by learning how to properly use their many tools and equipment and perform their duties in small groups. 

Illinois Tollway finances are in the hands of a woman recognized as one of the best in the business.

Crain’s Chicago Business named Tollway Chief Financial Officer Cathy Williams among its “2023 Notable CFOs” for her accomplishments at the agency, leadership in the finance industry and active role in her community.

“Congratulations to Cathy Williams for being recognized by Crain’s for her impressive, dedicated work as our chief financial officer,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “She is a savvy financial professional whose expertise helped successfully guide the Tollway through the pandemic to keep our capital program on track and an outstanding person, as well.”

Diversity, equity and inclusion remain a top priority for the Illinois Tollway under the leadership of new Tollway Board Chairman Arnie Rivera. 

Rivera reaffirmed the Tollway’s commitment to helping small and diverse businesses grow and succeed at a recent Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. The April 13 meeting in Chicago attracted more than 200 members. 

As the largest community of Hispanic business owners across Illinois and the Midwest, IHCC represents more than 100,000 businesses, including more than 2,000 disadvantaged business enterprise firms in Illinois. The chamber is also one of two organizations that works with the Tollway on its Technical Assistance Program; the other provider is Inner-City Underwriting Agency Inc.