Get to know Sannaz Etemadi, Senior Counsel and Interim Chief, Bureau of Civil Rights

Feb. 7, 2023

Important: See below for upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section

Employee Spotlight:

Sannaz

Etemadi, Senior Counsel and Interim Chief, Bureau of Civil Rights

Leading the Bureau of Civil Rights, Senior Counsel Sannaz Etemadi focuses on developing, implementing and monitoring IDOT’s programs for Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Americans with Disabilities Act, and federal contract compliance. As a first-generation Iranian American, she advocates for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

Still time to register for Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward conference Feb. 15-16

Registration remains open for the “Today’s Challenge, Tomorrow’s Reward” conference on Feb. 15 and 16 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield. The event focuses on providing educational and skill building workshops, best practices, and networking opportunities to statewide Disadvantaged Business Enterprises firms and contractors wanting to do business with IDOT.

There is no cost to attend this year’s conference. There is also no fee for anyone who wishes to have a table at our annual networking reception and vendor fair on the evening of Feb. 15. Tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To reserve a space for your organization, select the appropriate category when you begin registration.

Our special guest speaker during the opening session and luncheon on Feb. 15 is Jarrett Payton, WGN sports anchor and son of NFL Hall-of-Famer Walter Payton. For those unable to attend in person, some sessions and workshops will be provided through Webex.

Click here to register.

SCC Cairo Extension Center hosts its first HCCTP graduation

Shawnee Community College Cairo Extension Center announced the first graduates of its Highway Construction Careers Training Program. The seven graduates successfully completed the 12-week program consisting of 450 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction.

In collaboration with John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College Cairo Extension Center launched the new Highway Construction Careers Training Program with the help of a $300,000 investment by IDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. Expanding the program builds on the earlier successes of HCCTP at John A. Logan College, a partnership established in 2010 to teach marketable skills and advance career support for a new generation.

Program initiatives create a deep and powerful impact on the participating students and their communities, going beyond construction training classes to provide resume and cover letter writing assistance along with team development over the course of the 12-week commitment.

Region 2, District 2: Gov. JB Pritzker and IDOT announced a resurfacing project for South Alpine Road in Rockford. The $1.5 million project is part of a larger commitment to work with the city of Rockford to find a long-term solution to improve mobility, enhance safety and provide biking, transit, and pedestrian accommodations through the entire South Alpine corridor.

IDOT and the city are teaming up to allow the city use of state funds for engineering efforts to reconstruct and modernize the South Alpine Road corridor, an unmarked state route from U.S. 20 to Charles Street. The city will serve as the lead agency to determine the full scope of improvements, with IDOT providing funding through construction. At the conclusion of the project, the city will accept a jurisdictional transfer of Alpine Road from the state.

The cost of preliminary engineering for the project has been identified in IDOT's multiyear program for roads and bridges at $5 million.

Region 3, District 5: Work has wrapped up on A $18 million Interstate 74 bridge rebuild over the Salt Fork Vermilion River in Danville. With $63 million invested to resurface another 5.5 miles of adjacent I-74, the region now offers travelers a smoother, safer ride.

Letting Update

March 10 is the next letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2023. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting.

Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m. Prequalification cutoff (Date that contractors must be qualified to bid on contracts.)
March 3 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so.)
March 7 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts.)
March 10 at noon Letting (Bids can be submitted until 11:59 a.m. on the day. Bids are shut down at noon.)

If you are new to the IDOT bid letting process or need updated information, following are some helpful resources:

IDOT offers free subscription email services to anyone interested in finding out more about construction projects and work zones, IDOT initiatives, important safety messages and more.

Subscribe to IDOT in Motion or update your preferred email lists today.

Get Local Updates

idot.illi nois.gov