The deadline to apply for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is next Friday, June 17th. But even after the deadline passes, Ride Illinois will continue to advocate for a more transparent and predictable project selection process and more effective spending of the available federal dollars.

As we reported last month, ITEP is the state’s largest source of funding for bicycle related projects. Unfortunately, the program has traditionally under-performed in predictability, transparency, and spending rates. Ride Illinois has long advocated for a consistent schedule for accepting project applications, clear reporting of how applications scored, and a quicker turnaround for selection.  We have also called for adopting peer states’ best practices to ensure dollars for projects are not left unspent.

When IDOT announced this year’s call for applications, we renewed our calls for program improvements. We are pleased to report that IDOT has been responsive and open to feedback. At the recent Statewide Interagency Bikeway Working Group, they committed to a two-year funding cycle and faster review of applications. They aim to make announcements this fall. And we are continuing our push to ensure the best and most trails and bikeways get built.

Pictured above: The Kickapoo Rail Trail project in Champaign County received an ITEP grant in 2014 and was recently approved to begin construction.