BURBANK – To enhance much-needed transportation improvements across the state, State Senator Mike Porfirio joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in announcing nearly $9.5 million for 20 organizations to support their planning and developing efforts, including $225,000 for the Village of La Grange Park. 

“Investing in our transportation infrastructure is not just a commitment to better roads and bridges, but also a pledge to the safety and betterment of our communities,” said Porfirio (D-Lyons Township). “This funding ensures critical projects, like the planning study for the 31^st Street Corridor, can move forward – creating jobs and improving our community.”

Administered by IDOT using $7.5 million in federal funds, with matching funds of $1.25 million from the state and $741,000 from local governments, the grants are designed to advance the objectives of the agency’s Long-Range Transportation Plan. Among the criteria considered were projects that implement asset-management strategies and performance-based planning and programming, as well as activities that grow and support economically distressed areas.

Applicants included local and state agencies, universities, metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning commissions. The Village of La Grange Park, located in Porfirio’s district, will receive $225,000 for the 31^st Street Corridor Transportation Plan.

“We at IDOT are thrilled to join with these communities to help them forge a more robust, inclusive and safe transportation system for the future,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, under the leadership of Governor JB Pritzker, planning is at the core of everything we do. These grants will further those efforts with our local partners and support areas of Illinois where help is needed the most and can do the most good.”

For the full list of awards and breakdown of funding sources, visit IDOT’s planning page.