Sangamon Sun

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has opened the application period for its Safe Routes to School Program. This initiative aims to fund projects that make it safer for students from kindergarten through high school to walk, bike, or use other means to travel to and from school.

Funded with federal money and managed by IDOT, the program will distribute $12 million in grants during this cycle. Each project can receive up to $250,000. Eligible projects include constructing new sidewalks, implementing traffic-calming measures, and making improvements that increase accessibility for students with disabilities.

Entities eligible to apply are school districts, local governments, planning organizations, and nonprofit associations. According to IDOT, priority will be given to schools serving higher percentages of low-income students and those with disabilities.

Applications must be submitted by October 15. The department plans to announce grant recipients in the spring. More information about the program—including selection criteria and details on how to register for webinars—can be found on the Safe Routes to School homepage or by contacting IDOT via email.

Keicher was elected as a Republican representative for Illinois' 70th House District in 2018 after Robert W. Pritchard stepped down (https://ballotpedia.org/Jeff_Keicher).

"Safe Routes to School advances projects that improve safety and reduce traffic in areas around schools, grades kindergarten through high school," an IDOT statement said.

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