The Economic Development Program (EDP) provides funding to construct or improve public roads that directly support the establishment or expansion of industrial, manufacturing, or distribution-type facilities in Illinois. The program’s primary objective is to remove transportation barriers that may prevent companies from locating or growing their operations in Illinois, with a focus on permanent job creation and retention.

Eligible Applicants

Only local public agencies may serve as EDP sponsors and receive state funds:

• Municipalities
• Counties
• Townships
• Other eligible units of local government

IDOT cannot contract directly with private companies.

Eligible Projects

Projects must:

• Improve or construct roads providing access to a specific job-creating site
• Support industrial, manufacturing, or distribution facilities
• Demonstrate a direct connection between roadway improvement and jobs committed

Projects for retail centers, office buildings, government facilities, schools/universities, grain elevators or speculative development are not eligible. (eligible-industries.pdf)

• Up to 50% reimbursement for improvements on locally owned roadways
• Up to 100% reimbursement for state-owned routes
• $3 million maximum per project or site
• Preliminary and Construction Engineering (PE + CE) reimbursements combined may not exceed 15% of total project cost
• Companies may contribute additional funding; local agencies may use MFT or other eligible funds
• No land acquisition is eligible for reimbursement
• Construction may not begin (bidding, letting, or work) prior to official award and execution of agreements. Failure to follow this may result in loss of EDP funds.

Funding Calculation

EDP participation is based on job commitments made by the benefiting company:

• $40,000 per new full-time job created
• $10,000 per full-time job retained
• Up to program maximum of $3 million

Compliance Requirements

Under Public Act 93-552 (Corporate Accountability for Tax Expenditures Act):

• The benefiting company must complete an Employee Reporting Form annually for five years from the execution of the Local Agency/IDOT Agreement.
• Job commitments must be maintained for the entire five-year reporting period.
• Performance is measured, and the local sponsor is considered compliant when the annual reporting obligations are met.

IDOT administers the EDP through its district offices. District responsibilities include:

• Evaluating whether roadway improvements are necessary and cost-effective
• Determining whether to advance projects when company status changes
• Monitoring project progress and sponsor compliance
• Communicating project needs and updates to IDOT central office and DCEO

If a manufacturer fails to meet its reporting obligations or closes, IDOT and its districts will assess whether to complete the project or redirect funding to higher-priority areas demonstrating ongoing economic activity.

IDOT requires annual employee reporting for compliance but also for:

• Accurate statewide data on industrial job impacts
• Long-term evaluation of infrastructure investment outcomes
• Improved planning for future economic development site access needs

This coordinated approach supports statewide economic development strategies and ensures effective use of public transportation funds.

Documents required for a complete EDP application include:

1.         Current Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) documentation from the Sponsor (GATA portal)

2.         Detailed Engineer’s Cost Estimate

3.         Description of the Scope of the Project

4.         Map showing the limits of the project

5.         Request and Commitment Letter from the Sponsor

6.         Commitment letter from the companies impacted

7.         Employee Reporting Form (pro-2100) https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/idot-forms/pro/pro-2100.docx

Before beginning the application process, please contact:

Sean Berberet
IDOT Bureau of Statewide Program Planning
2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Room 308, Springfield, IL 62764
Phone: 217-558-5438

Email: Sean.T.Berberet@Illinois.gov

For engineering questions, contact the District Local Roads Engineer where the project is located.