Program Name: Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP)
Organization: Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Address: Julita Kuzminaite

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)

2300 S. Dirksen Parkway,

Springfield, IL 62764
Phone: 217-782-5482
Fax:
TDD:
Email: DOT.ITEP@illinois.gov
Website:  ITEP (illinois.gov)
Briefly Describe the Purpose of the Program
The ITEP is a reimbursable, competitive grant program that is funded with both federal and state funds. For the categories of bike and pedestrian facilities and the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails, sponsors may be eligible for state funds for all or a portion of the match if the local sponsor is determined to be a high need community based on the Community Map Score.  For all other sponsors within those categories and other ITEP categories a 20 percent match is required. To be eligible for ITEP funding, a project must demonstrate a relationship to surface transportation by either serving a transportation need or providing a transportation use or benefit. Projects for recreational purposes only are ineligible. The ITEP purpose is to provide 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. The program focuses on providing alternate modes of transportation where the scope of transportation projects goes beyond the traditional accommodations for cars, trucks and transit.
Year Program Established:
1994
Eligibility Requirements or Restrictions
A project must qualify as one of the 12 eligible federal categories listed in the ITEP Guidelines Manual and it must relate to surface transportation to be eligible for funding. Categories include, but not limited to; bicycle & pedestrian facilities, historic preservation/rehabilitation, landscape/streetscape projects, scenic byways and environmental mitigation.
Application Deadline: Application Cycle is held every other year on even years.
Application Guidelines:
Reimbursement will be provided for up to 80 percent of eligible costs for preliminary engineering, utility relocations, construction engineering and construction costs; and up to 50 percent for right-of-way and easement acquisition costsThe remaining 20 percent is the responsibility of the project sponsor unless the project qualifies for state matching funds as outlined in the ITEP Guidelines Manual. Ineligible items are also the responsibility of the sponsor. An executed Intergovernmental Agreement must be in place before reimbursable work can begin. Any work done prior will not be eligible for reimbursement. Projects are required to meet timelines as established by the Sunset Clause as described in the ITEP Guidelines Manual.  Please see the ITEP website for detailed information.
Funding Cap Per Application or Fiscal Year Program Funding:
There is a funding cap of $3M per project..
How Must Funds Be Used:
 Funds must be used for projects that provide and support alternative modes of transportation. Eligible project categories as well as eligible sponsors can be found in the ITEP Guidelines Manual.