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Hi! Welcome to the Telegram, the Illinois Department of Transportation's e-newsletter!

A major part of IDOT’s mission is to promote a safe, reliable system of multimodal transportation, while creating economic opportunity and enhancing quality of life across the state.

Communicating with the public is pretty high on that list as well. This e-newsletter helps us make sure we continue to do so and the below achieve will let you catch up on current and past issues.

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Edition 58: March 10, 2023

Meet Aundra Williams, Bureau Chief of Business Services and learn more on our sustainability initiatives for 2023.

Edition 57: February, 21, 2023

We honor IDOT’s own during Engineers Week and the I-74 river bridge is named Roads & Bridges’ Top Bridge of 2022.

Edition 56: February, 7 2023

Learn about Sannaz Etemadi, Senior Counsel and Interim Chief of the Bureau of Civile rights and the Shawnee Community College Cairo Extension Center announces first graduates of it’s Highway Construction Careers Training Program.

Edition 55: January 25, 2023

Learn about how our DBE program brings opportunities to Kankakee area and how underwater bridge inspections help ensure safety on the surface.

Edition 54: January 10, 2023

Our HCCTP program expands to Shawnee Community College Cairo Extension Center and see what 2022 looked like for IDOT thanks to Rebuild Illinois.

Edition 53: December 27, 2022

Chicago’s Jane Byrne Interchange project reaches the finish line and meet Arterial Traffic Operations Engineer Kalpana Kannan-Hosadurga.

Edition 52: December 20, 2022

Meet Area Mixtures Control Supervisor Sarah Dimaano, who oversees 22 concrete and asphalt plants in Kane and DuPage counties.

Edition 51: November 29, 2022

Learn how our Day Labor team delivered a key fix for a fire-damaged bridge and another snow and ice season means the time has come for “Winter Weather-Get it Together.”

Edition 50: November 8, 2022

What some may see as a random patch of wildflowers and plants along Illinois 54 in Ford County, Andy Stahr, Jay Keigher and Kip Rutledge from District 3 see fields of opportunities.

Edition 49: October 19, 2022

From the Sudanese countryside to IDOT’s top job, Transportation Secretary Omer Osman has been a trailblazer in many ways.

Edition 48: September 29, 2022

IDOT seeks temporary help to keep public safe this winter and partners with U of I to increase electric vehicle use.

Edition 47: September 7, 2022

Rebuild Illinois investment supercharges MetroLINK in Quad Cities, and the Multi-Year Program is released.

Edition 46: August 19, 2022

Karen Dvorsky, Program Development Engineer, fills us in on how engineering is in her blood. We also look at how e-scooters can boost equitable transportation.

Edition 45: August 2, 2022

IDOT construction technician’s quick thinking helps save a distressed traveler.

Edition 44: July 19, 2022

Meet the person who took the photo that is on our new state highway map. Arch assembly begins for the McClugage Bridge.

Edition 43: July 5, 2022

Get to know Kirk Brown the new Region 5 Engineer and see the NEW state bike maps!

Edition 42: June 22, 2022

Jonathan J. McGee joins IDOT as the Director of Office of Business and Workforce Diversity with some big plans in helping to remove sturctural and systemic barriers that limit or obstruct federal and state contracting or workforce opportunities

Edition 41: June 8, 2022

IDOT employee retires after a 34-year military career but continues in his day job and our website now features Google Translate.

Edition 40: May 26, 2022

Bird houses erected near Litchfield as part of “Give Birds the Right of Way” program and Bridge Mechanic Craig Johnson goes under the sea.

Edition 39: May 11, 2022

I-57 gets a major investment to rebuild the interstate from Chicago to Carbondale. Learn more about the Safe Routes to School program.

Edition 38: April 27, 2022

Horseshoe Mound project flourishing with the help of District 2 and get to know Ken Crawford, District 5 Project Implementation Engineer.

Edition 37: April 14, 2022

Illinois agencies join forces across the state to recognize Work Zone Awareness Week and we go orange

Edition 36: March 30, 2022

IDOT and the University of Illinois develop guidelines for smart work zones and get to know Jason Osborn, Director, Office of Intermodal Project Implementation.

Edition 35: March 21, 2022

Get a up close look at snow removal in central Illinois with pilot program in District 5.

Edition 34: February 28, 2022

Students in a building trades class from Canton High School receive a close-up view of IDOT during a site visit in Fulton County.

Edition 33: February 15, 2022

Second round of grants were announced for ports and transit systems throughout Illinois and Springfield historic sites get upgrades to parking, walkways.

Edition 32: January 31, 2022

Our new permit route guidance app provides audible turn-by-turn navigation, and we highlight our DBE workshops.

Edition 31: January 13, 2022

Look back at what happened at IDOT in 2021 and how we’re helping with solar energy.

Edition 30: December 28, 2021

Pam Simon, champion of diversity retiring after 32 years of service at IDOT.

Edition 29: December 14, 2021

IDOT replaces POW/MIA signs across the state.

Edition 28: November 24, 2021

We spotlight Brittany Gavin, Roadside Management Specialist and celebrate the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge opening.

Edition 27: November 11, 2021

Learn about Jon Schumacher’s career at IDOT and the opening of the Kickapoo Rail Trail.

Edition 26: October, 2021

The major I-80 project in District 1 will receive $1.2 billion in improvements over the next six years, we look for people to join the IDOT team and the Telegram has a landing page!

Edition 25: October 14, 2021

Highway maintainer Alan Ingle was at the right place at the right time to save a driver’s life and learn more about D1 Geometric Studies engineer Jason Salley.

Edition 24: September 28, 2021

Get to know Bill Viste, Project Coordinator, Division of Aeronautics, and learn more about IDOTs Data-Driven Decisions tool!

Edition 23: September 16, 2021

Get more than your kicks on old Route 66 with the new Route 66 Prairie Litchfield, and the Telegram turns one!

Edition 22: August 26, 2021

Read about the I-57/74 Interchange project and kickoff ceremony in Champaign and see how you can submit proposals for Safe Routes to School program.

Edition 21: August 11, 2021

We highlight IDOT highway maintainers in District 7 that helped save the life of an elderly woman with dementia and the I-74 River Bridge nears completion in the Quad Cities.

Edition 20: July 22, 2021

Ever wonder how IDOTs letting process works? Our piece on lettings will give you key insights on the process. We also look at the new alternative fuel signs that are popping up across the state.

Edition 19: June 30, 2021

Meet Omer Osman, the new Secretary of Transportation, and see how his long road at IDOT has prepared him to lead the department. Our second story will answer any questions you might have about roundabouts.

Edition 18: June 10, 2021

This edition we spotlight George Tapas, Engineer of Local Roads and Streets, and inform the public on input being sought on the new Illinois rail study.

Edition 17: May 27, 2021

We introduce our Multi-Year Program that continues Rebuild Illinois’ progress and spotlight Michael Walton, Engineer of Day Labor.

Edition 16: May 2021

Learn more about Jose Rios, Region 1 Engineer, and check out a video on how IDOT protects pollinators.

Edition 15: April 2021

We highlight National Work Zone Safety Week with an emphasis on worker safety and Illinois goes orange.

Edition 14: April 2021

IDOT recognizes employee innovation with our annual Innovative Ideas contest and see how RRFBs are helping pedestrians’ cross streets safely.

Edition 13: March 2021

Our oversized loads permit helps trucks hit the road safely, and the old Illinois 178 bridge in Utica goes down in a flash.

Edition 12: March 2021

Gov. Pritzker announces $250 million in grants for local transportation projects through Rebuild Illinois, and IDOT is recognized for advancing women in transportation.

Edition 11: Feb. 2021

Find out how the Day Labor team saved the day on I-74 and the Secretary’s Pin recognizing Operations work.

Edition 10: Feb. 2021

Piers are built for new eastbound McCluggage Bridge in Peoria, while northern Illinois crews battle winds and drifting snow.

Edition 9: Jan. 2021

Construction on the Kickapoo Rail Trail continues, and the District 6 truck wash cuts the grime and time.

Edition 8: Jan. 2021

See what happened with IDOT in 2020 and learn how to be a more mindful driver during the winter.

Edition 7: Dec. 2020

2020 Innovative Ideas contest helps virtually with COVID-19 and the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge reaches a major milestone.

Edition 6: Dec. 2020

With snow –and ice season approaching, the public is encouraged: “Winter Weather – Get it Together”.

Edition 5: Nov. 2020

Murray Baker Bridge opens on time and on budget, and you can learn more about the bridges used across Illinois.

Edition 4: Nov. 2020

The I-255 project wraps up faster, cheaper, safer and ahead of schedule. Get to know our Office of Business and Workforce Diversity.

Edition 3: Oct. 2020

Humble heroes save someone from a burning car and the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program hits a deadline.

Edition 2: Sept. 2020

Look out below! The I-290 pump station takes shape. Holly Bieneman is appointed Director of the Office of Planning and Programming.

Edition 1: Sept. 2020

IDOT goes the extra mile during the pandemic delivering, critical PPE throughout the state, and we bring home the top AASHTO award for our Life or Death campaign.

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