Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program

Applications submittals for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program & Illinois Green Streets Programs closed as of May 5, 2008. IDOT estimates it received between 325 and 350 applications. Review of applications is underway. IDOT hopes to have projects announced either late summer or early fall 2008.

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.

Illinois Green Streets Initiative   The Governor’s new Illinois Green Streets Initiative is part of the Replanting the Prairie State Initiative to further reduce greenhouse emissions in the state. Although funded through the ITEP program, applications for the Illinois Green Streets Initiative will utilize a separate application unique to that program. Project sponsors may receive up to 80 percent reimbursement for project costs. The remaining 20 percent is the responsibility of the project sponsor. Carefully read the information provided in the Illinois Green Streets Application and Instructions Manual provided on the IDOT website listed below to see what the program requirements are and limitations for eligible project sponsors. Funds for this program can only be used for planting of trees or prairie grasses.

Applications, Guidelines and Instructions
Guidelines and Applications for both the ITEP program and Illinois Green Streets Initiative 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)
Illinois Green Streets Application and Instructions Manual (Application Process is now closed)

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.
 

List of Projects Approved in 2006