RuralTransportation.org

Resource Library
Illinois

The Rural Context For Transportation Consultations

Illinois is the 23rd largest state in the U.S. in land area, 5th largest in population, and 11th most densely populated. However, approximately 26 percent of Illinois's population and jobs, and 94 percent of the land, is non-urban. About 73 percent of its roads are rural. Federally owned lands are not a major factor; they amount to 3 percent of the state's land area.

Illinois is a slowly growing state, as measured by population, with a moderately growing rate of employment. The portion of the state's jobs that are in the uniquely rural agriculture and mining sectors are fairly small (6 and 1 percent, respectively). Most jobs in Illinois's rural areas are in sectors also common in urban areas: construction, transportation & utilities (13 percent); manufacturing (20 percent); business & trade (26 percent); and services & government (34 percent).

Demographically, Illinois's non-urban population is predominately white (96 percent). Compared to the other states, the proportion of non-urban adults who did not graduate from high school is near the middle (23rd highest) and the proportion who did graduate from college is in the top quarter (10th highest). The 11 percent of Illinois's non-urban population who are poor is less than in most other states. About 42 percent of the state's non-urban population is in non-working age groups (27 percent 18 years or younger, and 15 percent 65 years or older).

Governmentally, Illinois is complex. The state has 102 counties, a less manageable number compared to many other states. Illinois also has 1,288 municipalities and 1,433 towns or townships for a total of 2,721 sub-county divisions. This is the highest number of sub-county governments of any state. Illinois does not have any federally recognized Indian tribes.

In addition, the 1997 U.S. Census of Governments has identified 83 independent, special-purpose governments in Illinois that have transportation responsibilities. This number is higher than in many other states. These special types of local governments include 26 for highways, 31 for airports, 8 for water transport, and 18 for transit. Illinois also has 33 other public transit providers serving rural areas and an additional 61 organizations that provide specialized transit services to elderly and disabled populations in those same areas.

Illinois has 25 regional councils that cover approximately 75 percent of the state, and 9 MPOs. These regional units help to coordinate the other local governments.

Of Illinois's 136,402 miles of roads, approximately 13 percent are state-controlled, while less than one percent are federal. Of the total number of non-federal rural roads, 12 percent are state, 14 percent are county, 66 percent are township, and 8 percent are municipal and other.

Processes For Consultation And Cooperation With Local Officials In Non-Metropolitan Areas

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) develops the state transportation plan, as well as a 5-year transportation program and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). IDOT's consultation process encompasses the entire range of transportation planning, programming and implementation activities. Although consultation in urban areas is more structured, coordination with local agencies in rural and small urban areas is continuous.

The state transportation plan-Transportation Policies and Goals for the 21st Century-sets forth the basic vision for the state. A series of statewide public forums and outreach meetings for local officials and other specifically impacted groups identified a wide array of priorities for IDOT to consider in developing this plan.

IDOT also conducts corridor-level planning and feasibility studies in those areas where state or local officials have identified a need for new or expanded state facilities. These studies are coordinated closely with local decision-makers to ensure that all relevant input is considered. Also, in rural and small urban areas adjacent to expanding urbanized areas, the IDOT promotes an interaction between those local officials and the adjacent Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Rural local officials participate in the appropriate MPO committees or perform joint studies between the MPO and the rural local officials.

The 5-year Multi-year Highway Improvement Plan (MYP) is updated annually and includes all anticipated projects, constrained by available funds. Category priorities are set based on a continuous assessment of road and bridge conditions as well as traffic and accident data. Each district maintains a continuous and cooperative relationship with state and local elected officials within the district by holding regular meetings to exchange information about needed improvements on the state highway system. At these meetings, local input is sought for purposes of modifying proposed improvements, suggesting new ones, and conveying any local opposition to state proposals. As necessary, local agencies also coordinate with the district offices on projects that involve both state and local interests. In such cases, the project scope and state-local cost sharing activities are negotiated.

IDOT's nine district offices develop, prioritize and submit candidate projects by program category, based on the needs of each district. Based on district submissions, the central IDOT office assembles the MYP and submits it to the Governor for approval. It then is submitted to the legislature for review and input. This step provides local officials another opportunity for input through their elected representatives.

All applications for transit funding-including those for rural and small urban areas-must go through a public hearing process that allows public and local official input. In addition, all applications and grant contracts must be approved by the local governing board where the public transportation operator provides service. The rural transit assistance program provides planning, technical, and administrative assistance for rural and small urban public transportation providers to help them meet the needs of their users.

All municipalities, townships and counties develop their own local street and highway program to utilize the federal and state highway funds they receive. Often this program is supplemented with local funds. The local portion of the program is developed using locally determined needs and priorities. The federal- and state-funded portion is coordinated with IDOT to ensure that projects are eligible for the various funding sources, that applicable standards, policies and procedures are met, and that the work is coordinated with state projects.

The STIP is the final step in the surface transportation programming process. This process integrates state highways, local roads, and public transportation through a statewide public involvement process. The ongoing strategy for public involvement in the development of the STIP involves the following steps:

A general invitation to participate is included in the introduction of the multi-year programs and in the Governor's press releases associated with these programs.
A notification is mailed to contractors, local officials, and interested groups advising them about the opportunity to participate and review the public involvement procedures. Each group or individual is given an opportunity to submit comments to IDOT.
IDOT sends a press release to the media statewide and places an advertisement in approximately 70 newspapers throughout the state. The ads notify the general public of the availability of the draft STIP for review and comment.
IDOT maintains a telephone number for public inquiries into the program planning process. The public may also contact IDOT via e-mail.
IDOT responds to telephone inquiries, letters and written comments using the Public Review and Comment form. A record of comments and responses is maintained by the Office of Public Affairs.
In addition, IDOT responds to hundreds of letters and inquiries from the general public, legislators, congressmen and various groups annually regarding the status of projects and various transportation issues.

IDOT utilizes its Bureau of Local Roads and Streets in the Division of Highways to assist, guide, and coordinate local governmental agencies and local officials in accomplishing their transportation missions. The Bureau provides technical and administrative assistance for planning, financing, design, construction and maintenance of the local street system; integrates local agency programs into the state programming process; and serves as departmental liaison to the local agencies. IDOT also operates the Illinois Technology Transfer Center, which provides training, technical assistance, and information services that address the needs of local agencies. Additionally federal and state planning funds have been made available to local agencies, on a case-by-case basis, to conduct transportation/traffic studies.

IDOT consults with local agencies in a variety of other ways. One key way is as an active participant in statewide conferences hosted by organizations representing local agencies, such as the Illinois Association of County Engineers, the Illinois Municipal League, the American Public Works Association, and the Township Officials of Illinois. In addition, IDOT's district offices host annual meetings with all local agencies in their area. In order to improve the coordination of all services, including public transportation in rural and small urban areas, IDOT also participates in committees and task forces established by the Illinois Department of Aging and the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Rural transportation is funded with federal, state, and local funds. Non-discretionary federal highway funds are divided among the state and local agencies by a formula negotiated between the IDOT and representatives of the local agencies (the Illinois Municipal League and the Illinois Association of County Engineers). Also, non-discretionary state highway funds are divided among the state and local agencies by a formula negotiated between the state and local agencies (including township officials) and codified by state statute. The formulas utilize criteria such as population and roadway miles. Each local agency develops its own program to utilize these funds.

The allocation of non-discretionary transit funds to the various rural and small urban transit providers is accomplished by an evaluation of population, regional distribution, ability to provide local resources, and age of rolling stock.

Illinois uses these practices:

State Consultation Tours: IDOT district offices hold annual meetings with local agencies.
State Hearings: A series of statewide public forums and outreach meetings for specific impacted groups were used to obtain input to the long-range plan. The STIP is made available for formal review and comment.
Roles of MPO's Outside their Metropolitan Planning Boundaries: In rural and small urban areas adjacent to expanding urbanized areas, IDOT promotes interaction between those local officials and the adjacent MPO. These local officials participate in the appropriate MPO committees or perform joint studies between the MPO and the rural local officials.
Allocation of Transportation Funds and Responsibilities: Some state and federal funds are allocated to localities by formula. Each local agency develops its own program to utilize these funds.
Other Practices: IDOT's Bureau of Local Roads serves as liaison to local agencies; IDOT district offices carry on a continuous and open relationship with local officials. IDOT also operates the Illinois Technology Transfer Center and participates in conferences of organizations that represent local agencies. IDOT maintains a telephone number and e-mail address to allow public inquiries into the program planning process.

Return to the top

National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation
400 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 390, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 624-7806 • Fax (202) 624-8813 •info@nado.org
www.nado.org