Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program

December 18, 2009:  Governor Pat Quinn today announced communities in the Chicagoland-area will benefit from approximately $10 million in enhancement funds for landscaping and beautification projects. The funding is a part of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP), a federally funded program designed to improve the quality of life in Illinois by promoting alternative transportation, such as bike and hike trails, streetscape and beautification, and preserving transportation resources. The latest round of awards includes 68 projects statewide totaling $22 million.  Click here for the list of statewide projects receiving funding.

September 18, 2009 update: Governor Pat Quinn announced September 17, 2009 approval of 27 enhancement projects to be funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Enhancement funds.

Approval of remaining ITEP applications submitted in 2008: Typically the Department notifies all communities who submit an ITEP application whether or not they were approved for ITEP funding. Because the department is anticipating additional projects to be selected from the 2008 applications currently on file, those communities who did not receive notification of funding in the December 18 announcement are still being considered for funds. An announcement date for additional projects to be funded through the regular ITEP program has not been set.

Applications submittals for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program & Illinois Green Streets Programs closed as of May 5, 2008. The department has not determined when the next call for applications will be announced.

ILLINOIS TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ITEP)
ITEP provides funding for community based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic and environmental aspects of our transportation infrastructure. Project sponsors may receive up to 80 percent reimbursement for project costs. The remaining 20 percent is the responsibility of the project sponsor. A project must qualify as one of the 12 eligible categories listed in the ITEP Guidelines Manual and it must relate to surface transportation to be eligible for funding.

Applications, Guidelines and Instructions
Guidelines and Applications for the ITEP program can be downloaded from this website. (Please note the applications are set up as a form that the user ‘tabs’ thru. Do not unlock the form).

Special Notice - Revision to Application Submittal Requirements: Applicants are NOT required to submit a copy of their Annual Audit Report as previously stated with either ITEP or Green Streets applications.

Revisions to Categories 4, 5 and 10 - It was recently discover from discussions with our enhancement partners that the restrictions listed under Category 4 – Historic Preservation and Category 5 – Rehabilitation of Historic Transportation Buildings, Structures or Facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals), have been revised. Page 10 and 11 of the ITEP guidelines states: Rehabilitation of rolling stock such as historic trains, automobiles, airplanes, motorcycles and boats is ineligible for funding. Rehabilitation of historic trains, automobiles and motorcycles are now eligible, but only under Category 10 – as a part of a transportation museum. Only ferry boats and boats used on a canal system would be eligible for ITEP funds under Category 5 or Category 10 – Establishment of a Transportation Museum. Airplanes and other aeronautical related infrastructure are not considered surface transportation and are ineligible.

Under Category 10 – Establishments of Transportation Museums the policy of not allowing artifacts, collections and materials to be used for museum display purposes has been revised. These are considered eligible items if they relate to surface transportation.

The ITEP Guidelines Manual will be revised to reflect these changes. The department apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.

ITEP Application and Instructions Manual (Application Process is now closed)
ITEP Guidelines Manual (Note: Illinois Green Streets Initiative also will follow certain sections/requirements of the Guidelines Manual)

Questions
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) has been developed. The answers to these questions should address many questions that a project sponsor may have. Visit the FAQ's page for answers to these questions. Additional questions should be e-mailed to itep@dot.il.gov or contact the local IDOT District ITEP Coordinator in your area listed in the ITEP Guidelines Manual under Appendix 2 or under FAQ’s.