Illinois

Chicago, Illinois, Walking School Bus

Illinois SRTS State Network 
Illinois is one of twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership Network Project. This initiative creates state networks that bring together advocacy groups, government agencies, and other leaders.

Illinois SRTS Program
Managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois’s federally funded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is the source for state coordinator contact details, federal SRTS funding amounts, SRTS applications and guidelines, and state SRTS program information.

Success Stories and Best Practices

Other Statewide and Regional Programs

Illinois Partner Affiliates
Find out which organizations in your state have pledged their support as partner affiliates of the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Legislation and Policies

Illinois SRTS State Network
Illinois is one of the twenty jurisdictions participating in the SRTS National Partnership State Network Project. The Illinois SRTS State Network Organizer works for a sponsoring organization, which is under contract with the SRTS National Partnership.

Illinois State Network Organizer
Heather Schady
Active Transportation Alliance
(312) 427-3325 ext. 236
illinois@saferoutespartnership.org
www.activetrans.org

Illinois State Network Chair
To be determined.

Illinois State Network Partners
Action for Healthy Kids - Illinois
Active Transportation Alliance
American Heart Association
Champaign-Urbana Champaign Mass Transit District
Champaign-Urbana Safe Routes to School Project
Chicago Department of Transportation
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning 
Chicago Public Schools
Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children
Healthy Schools Campaign
Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Illinois Department of Public Health 
Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Park and Recreation Association
Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs
League of Illinois Bicyclists
Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors, Office of the Governor
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Tri-County Regional Planning Commission
TrailNet
Two Rivers YMCA
U.S. EPA Region 5

Local School Project
The Illinois State Network is partnering with King Elementary School in Urbana to bring Safe Routes to School programs and projects to their kindergarten through fifth grade students. Local project partners include the City of Urbana and the Champaign Urbana Mass Transit District. Parents at King completed school transportation surveys in the spring of 2008 and the program officially kicked off on October 8, 2008 with Walk and Bike to School Day. King Elementary will implement Walking School Bus and Bike Train programs, in addition to offering students an afterschool build-a-bike program.

Urbana’s CU-SRTS Project is working with King, and the surrounding Urbana community to provide bike rodeos, a crossing guard appreciation program, and other educational opportunities to schools and families.

Illinois SRTS Program
Illinois’s Safe Routes to School program is managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Illinois DOT SRTS Coordinator
Megan Holt Swanson
(217) 785-2932
DOT.SafeRoutes@illinois.gov
www.dot.il.gov/SafeRoutes/

Illinois SRTS Federal Funding
Illinois’s SRTS funding from FY2005-2009* totals $23,267,399 and includes the following annual apportionments:

* Funding for SRTS is being continued into FY2010 at FY2009 levels. 

Application Guidelines
In August 2009, the Illinois Department of Transportation awarded $13.7 million in SRTS funds, supporting 171 projects to benefit schools across the state. This second round of funding marks the full allocation of all of Illinois’ $23 million in SRTS funds.

Illinois Announces $13 Million in Safe Routes to School Awards
Press Release - August 2009
List of Funding Awards - August 2009

For more information, please visit the website.

In May 2010 IDOT announced the 2010 SRTS planning and funding cycle. Because of the extension of federal funding through December 31, 2010, Illinois will be able to award at least $7 million in SRTS monies throughout the state.

In order to participate in the 2010 planning and application cycle, you will be required to submit, and receive approval for, a new or updated School Travel Plan for your community. For more information on this requirement, please visit the links to the left. The School Travel Plan tool is available year-round.

The dates for the 2010 cycle are:

• May 31: School Travel Plan submittal becomes available (submit button turned on)
• October 1: Call for Projects opens. An approved School Travel Plan is necessary to access the application.
• November 1, 5:00:00 P: Last day to submit School Travel Plan for review and comment. All Plans received after this date will either be approved or denied, and there will not be an opportunity to resubmit.
• November 12, 5:00:00 P: Last day to submit a School Travel Plan for 2010 planning and application cycle. No Plans will be accepted after 5:00.
• December 15, 5:00:00 P: Call for Projects closes. All applications must be in before 5:00:00. No late applications will be accepted.
• January 2011: Application review and scoring begins.
• Mid-Late 2011: Funded Projects announced.

For more information, please visit the Illinois SRTS web site.

Background on Illinois SRTS Funding Program
The first round of applications were submitted June 29, 2007. There are separate guidelines for infrastructure and non-infrastructure grants, which were used to score these applications. Between 70 percent and 90 percent of SRTS funds support infrastructure projects and 10 percent to 30 percent of funds support non-infrastructure programs.

On March 6, 2008, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced $8.3 million for 112 projects across Illinois. IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees said that the agency received 298 applications that included 1,042 projects for a total of $77.7 million.

In August 2009, Governor Pat Quinn announced $13.7 million in awards for 171 projects across Illinois.  IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig said that the agency received applications for 376 projects totaling $27.9 million. Examples of projects that received funding include construction and repair of sidewalks and curbs, construction of walking/bike paths, installing pedestrian islands, erecting signs and improving traffic signals, student safety education programs, training of crossing guards and creation of clubs to promote biking and walking.

State Advisory Committee and Implementation Committee
Illinois has an implementation committee required as part of the Illinois SRTS statute. It includes members of several IDOT bureaus, as well as representatives from the Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois State Police, State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Illinois Department of Public Health, along with a FHWA representative. The Implementation Committee was integral in implementing the program and is responsible for scoring applications.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is utilizing the SRTS State Network as an Advisory Committee for the Illinois DOT SRTS program.

State Outreach Programs
From January 30, 2007 through July 30, 2008, the Illinois Department of Transportation held more than twenty Safe Routes to School training sessions across the state, focusing on the essential elements of a Safe Routes to School program and explaining the School Travel Plan and application processes. These free sessions attracted hundreds of attendees. IDOT contracted with the Active Transportation Alliance (formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation) to hold a statewide SRTS conference at Illinois State University in the summer of 2008. The keynote speaker was Mark Fenton.

The Illinois Department of Transportation produces two booklets: "Kids on Bikes in Illinois" for younger children, and "Safe Bicycling in Illinois" for older children and adults. Download both free from http://www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/kidsonbikes/kidsbike.pdf or http://www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/safekids/safebike.pdf. These materials may also be ordered from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety office.

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office also produces free bicycle safety materials, including a bicycle safety course instruction manual. Free download from http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/kidspub.html.

Evaluation Methods
Grantees are required to submit evaluation data that includes a summary of their student travel tallies and parent surveys using templates from the National Center for SRTS.  For more information on the data collection procedures and tally tool, please visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School (www.saferoutesinfo.org) and click on the Data Tools link.

Non-infrastructure grantees are also required to submit evaluation data on the number of children with disabilities participating in Illinois SRTS by completing parent and teacher surveys developed by the National Center for Physical Activity and Disability. For more information on the survey, go to www.ncpad.org/SRTS_Parent or www.ncpad.org/SRTS_Teacher.

Success Stories & Best Practices
In addition to the stories posted below, the Success Stories page of the Illinois SRTS website is continually being updated.  Please visit to view the most recent Illinois SRTS success stories.

Apple River Middle School: Walk Across Illinois School Fitness Program
Located in Jo Davies County in the northwest corner of Illinois, Apple River is a close-knit rural community with a population of less than 400 people. Apple River Middle School is centrally located and serves 114 fourth- through sixth-graders.

Apple River participated in the Walk Across Illinois School Fitness Program for the first time during the 2008-2009 school year. The school year started with a Walk to School Day celebration in October, and the school maintained momentum throughout the school year. With the support of Walk Across Illinois program staff, Apple River’s teachers, parents and administrators embraced more physically active lifestyles, quickly making it an important part of the school’s culture. Students logged more than 91,000 miles of physical activity in just one year. Furthermore, the number of students walking and rolling to school increased that year: up to 42 percent from 32 percent.

Jungman Elementary School: Walk Across Illinois School Fitness Program
Jungman Elementary School serves families in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The neighborhood is the city’s largest Latino community, where more than 44,000 people live. Jungman comprises 327 students from kindergarten through eighth grade, and 89% of the students qualify as low-income.

Jungman has entered its third year in the Walk Across Illinois School Fitness Program. Teachers and support staff have also joined in the journey toward a more active lifestyle by participating in the Walk the Walk Challenge. Seventeen of Jungman’s 20 teachers recorded a combined 10,000 miles in the Walk the Walk Challenge, a program specifically for teachers and staff. These teachers are not simply “talking the talk” but are also modeling healthy behavior by “walking the walk.”

International Walk to School Month
Each year, communities all across Illinois join millions of people around the world to celebrate the time-honored tradition of walking and biking to school. Governor Rod Blagojevich proclaimed October 2008 International Walk to School Month in Illinois, and October 8, 2008 as Illinois Walk to School Day.  More than 130 schools in Illinois registered to participate in this exciting event!

In 2008, activities kicked off Wednesday, October 8 with International Walk and Bike to School Day. More than 150 schools from all across Illinois participated in 2008, with many activities ongoing throughout the month. Walking and bicycling to school events are energizing, reminding parents and children of the simple joy of walking or biking to school. To learn more about Walk to School Day, and to see which schools are participating in your community, please visit www.walktoschool.org.

Ten schools in Northeast Illinois received mini grants, which included a cash awards and supplies for implementing a successful Walk and Bike to School Day. Awardees implemented programs that included parades, walking celebrations, assemblies, and bike parades and decorating contests. 

Chicago, Illinois:

Wilmette, Illinois, the Helmet Reward Program gives "tickets" for treats to young cyclists caught wearing their helmets.

Lock Library Program
Students who ride their bikes to McAuliffe Elementary School in Chicago can feel confident that their bicycles will be safe while they are in class. Through a Lock Library program, the school provides high-quality “u-locks” for students to use while in school. A school staff member greets cycling students when they arrive each morning, signs out the locks for the day, and assists children in locking their bikes properly.

Naperville, Illinois: Walk to School Week
The City of Naperville, Illinois sponsors Walk to School Week for all schools in the city. Support from the City includes a training and toolkits for Walk to School Week leaders, coordination of police department participation and safety presentation, development of internet-based safe walking maps for all schools, and soliciting donations and giveaways for schools. The City promotes Walk to School Week through street banners, newsletters and media mentions. For more information, visit Naperville's Walk to School program.

Blue Island, Illinois: Bike Week
Each May, the 6th 7th and 8th grade students at Veteran’s Memorial Middle School look forward to "Bike Week". At the end of the school year, all students are treated to a day of bike education, followed by a bike repair clinic. All activities culminate in a day-long neighborhood Bike Parade, with approximately 300 students, teachers, police officers and administrators participating. The Bike Parade travels all around town, providing students with an opportunity to practice safe on-street bicycling skills while enjoying time with friends.

Chicago, Illinois: Mayoral Outreach Support
In May 2009, Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors kicked off Chicago’s inaugural Crossing Guard Appreciation Month. Twenty-five (25) crossing guards from across the city were recognized for their efforts to make the walk and ride to school safer for children and families.

For more information on this project, please contact:

Chelsea Richer
Program Manager
Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors
chelsea.richer@cityofchicago.org
(312) 744-3019
www.saferoutesambassadors.org

Safe Routes Ambassador photo album

Other Statewide and Regional Programs
Statewide Bicycle Education Materials
The League of Illinois Bicyclists produces a variety of educational materials, including a safety tip sheet for kids and a seven-minute video for motorists demonstrating how to share the road with cyclists. View both at www.bikelib.org.

Walk Across Illinois
In 2001, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn hiked 167 miles from Rock Island on the Mississippi River to Chicago on Lake Michigan to promote quality health care for everyone. Subsequently, Quinn initiated Walk Across Illinois (WAI) in August 2005 as a health initiative to address the growing obesity problem in the state, especially among children.  Click here to view the 2007 Walk Across Illinois Year in Review.

Participants in this free program are encouraged to walk at least 167 miles over the course of a year, and many schools have signed up to participate in the School Fitness Program, which provides schools across Illinois with a free 20-week physical education curriculum to increase physical activity and encourage students to become more fit. Students can track their progress using an online map, and learn about Illinois history along the route. Learn more by visiting www.walkacrossillinois.org and clicking on the Schools link.

Thanks to funding from the federal SRTS program, Walk Across Illinois will be expanding to provide programming in each of the nine IDOT districts during the 2008-2009 school year.

Schools may register for the 2008-2009 Walk Across Illinois School Fitness Program by visiting www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org, and clicking on the “Schools” link. Teacher trainings for the 2008-2009 program are scheduled for August and September of 2008. Please contact Dan Persky at dan@activetrans.org for more information.

Northeastern Illinois Walk and Roll to School Day Mini Grant Program
The Active Transportation Alliance, along with other partner organizations, sponsors the annual Walk and Roll to School Day Mini Grant Program. Through the Mini Grant Program, schools across the Chicagoland region are awarded $500 in cash, promotional items, healthy snacks and a $100 credit toward training and equipment for AAA’s School Safety Patrol Program. With these mini grant packages, schools are given the resources to execute high quality Walk and Roll to School Day festivities, and promote walking and biking to school as safe, popular modes of transportation.

In 2009, Mini Grant Program awards were distributed to six very deserving schools in northeastern Illinois. Please contact Heather Schady at heather@activetrans.org for more information.

Northeast Illinois Safe Routes to School Learning Network
Convened by the Active Transportation Alliance, the Public Act 096-0130
This bill was passed on August 6, 2009 and went into effect on January 1, 2010. The law bans motorists from sending or receiving texts or email while driving. The law makes exceptions for emergency situations, drivers who are operating a hands-free device, drivers who are stopped and commercial vehicles using dashboard-mounted devices. 
includes over 25 agencies and organizations. The Task Force seeks to increase the number of SRTS programs operating in the region through advocacy, networking, and monitoring efforts.

Chicago Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School
In Chicago, Mayor Daley and the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Transportation offer several Chicago SRTS resources including Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors program provides and a SRTS toolkit for teachers, school administrators, and community members.

Legislation & Policies

Public Act 096-0130
This bill was passed on August 6, 2009 and went into effect on January 1, 2010. The law bans motorists from sending or receiving texts or email while driving. The law makes exceptions for emergency situations, drivers who are operating a hands-free device, drivers who are stopped and commercial vehicles using dashboard-mounted devices.

Public Act 96-0052 (formerly SB 75) 
This bill was signed into law on July 23, 2009, effective immediately. This bill provides school districts with flexibility in their use of school zone safety violations fines. The bill authorizes use of the funds for any Safe Routes to School or School Safety and Educational Improvement Block Grant program. This will provide a stable funding source for Safe Routes to School. The funding will supplement the school safety block grant funds. 

HJR 6
This bill creates a School Transportation Task Force to review school busing policy in Illinois. 

Public Act 96-0131 (formerly HB 72) 
This bill was signed into law August 6, 2009 and is effective January 1, 2010. This bill bans the use of cell phones by drivers while traveling on a roadway through a marked highway construction or school zone. The law contains an exemption for people using voice-activated mobile phones.

Illinois Complete Streets: Public Act 95-0665 (formerly SB 314)
This bill was signed into law October 17, 2007, effective immediately. The Illinois House’s vote on October 11, 2007 to override Governor Blagojevich’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 314 marks the final chapter of efforts to enact this important legislation that protects pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. While the legislation passed through the House and Senate, Governor Blagojevich effectively vetoed the SB314 August 30 by changing its meaning. During this month’s veto session, the Senate voted to override the veto October 3 and the House did the same October 9.

This was the fourth successful piece of bicycling- and pedestrian-related legislation to become law during the 95th General Assembly - Senate Bill 80 (Public Act 95-0231), which requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist; Senate Bill 639 (Public Act 95-0028), which identifies police on bicycles as emergency vehicles; and House Bill 508 (Public Act 95-0467), which increases the penalty for hitting a crossing guard near a school.

The Complete Streets law requires that bicycle and pedestrian ways be established in or near urban areas in all state transportation projects. It is effective immediately for project planning and required in construction beginning August 2008. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation worked with the Healthy Streets Campaign, the League of Illinois Bicyclists and the bill’s co-sponsors Senators Edward Maloney and Joseph M. Lyons to gain support for the legislation.

This is the fourth successful piece of bicycling- and pedestrian-related legislation to become law this session - Senate Bill 80, which requires motorists to give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist; Senate Bill 639, which identifies police on bicycles as emergency vehicles;
and House Bill 508, which increases the penalty for hitting a crossing guard near a school.

Illinois SRTS Construction Program – PA 94-493
Passed in August 2005, the Illinois SRTS Construction Program sets forth criteria by which applications under the federal SRTS program will be scored. One unique criteria is the proximity of parks to a school location. This acknowledges the dynamic relationship between schools and the places where children play. The law also requires that IDOT study the effectiveness of SRTS programs on reducing crashes.

Meetings & Events
The Illinois Safe Routes to School State Network brings together a wide range of stakeholders on a monthly phone call to work on improvements to Illinois’ SRTS program. Contact Heather Schady at Illinois@saferoutespartnership.org for information on how to get involved.

The Northeast Illinois Safe Routes to School Task Force meets on a quarterly basis in downtown Chicago to discuss issues and initiatives for SRTS throughout the region. Contact Heather Schady at heather@activetrans.org for information

Governor Quinn has declared that Tuesday, May 4 is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. If you are looking for ways to celebrate, contact Heather Schady at heather@activetrans.org.

© Copyright 2007 Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP). All rights reserved.