As spring construction ramps up across Illinois, the Department of Transportation, State Police, Illinois Tollway, and partners are reminding the public that “SAFE ACTIONS SAVE LIVES.”
The message comes during National Work Zone Awareness Week, urging drivers to slow down, stay alert, and watch for lane closures and workers.Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi stressed the importance of giving road crews space, noting, “The people behind the cones want to get home safely, just like you.”
ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly reported 640 work zone crashes already in 2026, with 91 injuries. “Slow down and pay attention when driving through work zones,” he said.
New safety initiatives this year include a data feed to the U.S. DOT’s Work Zone Data Exchange, helping apps like Google and Waze alert drivers to active work zones. IDOT is also expanding photo enforcement, increasing police patrols, and using more temporary rumble strips.
Each year, Illinois sees more than 6,000 work zone crashes, mostly impacting drivers and passengers. In 2025, 35 people died in work zones statewide.
To raise awareness, buildings and bridges across Illinois will be lit orange this week, and IDOT is distributing safety materials at rest areas. For more information, visit itsnotagameillinois.com.