GO TO 2040 urges the federal government, the State of Illinois, transit agencies, and local governments to develop innovative financing for strategic investments to support a world-class transportation system for this new century. Although the plan's primary transportation emphasis is to maintain and modernize the system, the plan recommends several major capital projects that will maximize regional benefits of mobility and economic development.
In August 2011, the Illinois Tollway approved a 15-year, $12 billion "Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future" capital program. In addition to finishing system reconstruction initiated in 2005, the plan includes expansion projects such as improvements to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I–90)—which includes multi-modal strategies—the Elgin O'Hare West Bypass, and the Tri-State Tollway (I–294)/I–57 Interchange. The Tollway's capital program is an example of substantial transportation investment financed directly through dedicated user fees, as recommended by GO TO 2040.
The Tollway has established a Blue Ribbon Advisory Council to help guide study of the Illinois Route 53/120 Corridor, which is also a high priority of GO TO 2040. CMAP is doing extensive planning work to support the Council, which began to meet in September 2011. Its three working groups are addressing mobility and finance, design and land use, and environment and sustainability.