Illinois Department of Transportation maintains a chartered Stormwater Committee composed of members from a variety of backgrounds and individuals from other state agencies to help inform and guide policy creation, advise IDOT’s staff on stormwater issues should they arise, and oversee erosion control training for staff and consultants. The committee also regularly coordinates with other stormwater groups and initiates research through the Illinois Center for Transportation to study aspects of the stormwater management program and determine whether improvements can be made to best management practices.
IDOT has just started researching alternatives to erosion control blankets that use plastic mesh, which is known to entangle wildlife and contribute to microplastics in waterways. IDOT will utilize research and practices generated through other state DOTs, the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, and the Illinois Urban Manual, when applicable.
