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Eager to get started? Here’s what you can do now:

As a local stakeholder you can play a role in helping to identify how to best use Safe Routes to School funds. State, regional and local governments, schools, school districts and not-for-profit organizations may all act as project sponsors. Program funds may be used for infrastructure or non-infrastructure projects. Starting a Safe Routes to School Program requires some effort, but with forethought and good organization the process can be smooth and efficient.

The first step is to register for an account on the Illinois Safe Routes to School home page. On the right side of the page, under Login to Safe Routes to School, please select the link “New Users Click Here to Register”. Complete the form on the page, and submit. The SRTS system will automatically generate an email, specific to you, with your username and password. It will also contain a link that you must follow in order to activate your account. If you do not follow this like, your account will not be activated, and you will not be able to access the system.

The following steps provide a framework for gathering the information you need and putting the School Travel Plan together:

1. Form a Safe Routes to School Team: Identify people who want to make walking and bicycling to school safe and appealing for children. Include key stakeholders such as school officials, parents and students, law enforcement and municipal traffic engineers and planners. At the minimum, your team must include representatives from the municipality and the school district. An excellent team includes many more members, representing other municipal agencies and community stakeholders.
2. Set a Meeting: A goal of the first meeting is to gather participants’ input on priorities for school travel, what needs fixing and how to proceed. Get a commitment from the group to continue working together on the School Travel Plan.
3. Gather information and identify issues: Collect information regarding the current travel situation, as well as the barriers that exist for walking and bicycling travel. Gather information through neighborhood walking audits, public input sessions and travel surveys with students and parents.
4. Find the solutions: Solutions to identified issues will include a combination of education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement strategies. It is a good idea to determine both long-term and short-term goals and solutions for your community. Safety is the first consideration.
5. Write your School Travel Plan: Using your account on the Illinois SRTS web site, complete your plan online. Keep your plan clear, concise and prioritized. Detail each strategy and create a realistic time schedule for the plan.
6. Apply for funding: Utilize the Illinois SRTS Program, as well as an array of other transportation, education, law enforcement and private funding sources to fund your activities.