The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in roads, bridges, and rail. Northeastern Illinois soon will start seeing millions of dollars to create a more resilient transportation network that serves everyone better.

Since IIJA became law, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has focused on leveraging the increased infrastructure funding for our region, coordinating around new competitive grant programs, and preparing regionally significant projects. Additionally, the infrastructure law places an equity, environment, and resilience lens on decision-making. Those policy goals align with the core principles of northeastern Illinois’ long-term comprehensive plan, ON TO 2050.

As the coordinating regional agency, CMAP is here to help. We are a resource to all our communities and counties in the region. We are ready to convene, prioritize, and build consensus. We have the expertise to ensure the region moves quickly on projects. This preparation takes financial analysis, modeling, and more. Fortunately, that’s what we’re good at!

On this page, you can find the latest information and resources that can help our communities and partners better understand the financial opportunities of the infrastructure law and the many different projects it will generate. For questions, contact Tim McMahon (tmcmahon@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8665).

The new infrastructure law provides more funding for the region’s transportation programs that address the ways people travel, challenges with congestion and air quality, and improvements that can keep bicyclists and pedestrians safe. More funding through IIJA will allow the region to implement projects faster.

Watch our video to learn more about how transportation is funded in northeastern Illinois.

The infrastructure law increases funding for four main transportation programs:

• Surface Transportation Block Grant: This program supports regional and local needs and funds improvements to bridges, roads, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian networks. Projects that support electric vehicle charging and emerging transportation technologies also qualify for this funding under the infrastructure law.
• Transportation Alternatives Program: This program strengthens mobility options for bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as improvements to recreational trails and streetscapes.
• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program: This program funds regional and local projects that reduce congestion and emissions. Infrastructure that supports bike sharing and purchases of zero-emission vehicles and charging equipment also are eligible for CMAQ funding under the infrastructure law.
• Metropolitan Planning Program: This supports CMAP’s technical assistance services and other regional planning efforts in northeastern Illinois.

The chart below breaks down funding estimates for Illinois through federal fiscal year 2026.

The infrastructure law establishes new programs that can make our regional transportation system stronger and more resilient for the next generation of users. These programs, funded through a state formula, can reduce emissions, reinvigorate aging infrastructure, and modernize the ways people travel.

The infrastructure law’s new formula programs include:

• Carbon Reduction Program: This invests in projects that can reduce emissions from transportation.
• PROTECT Program: This funds state and regional projects that strengthen flood protection and resilient infrastructure.
• Bridge Formula Program: This supports projects that repair or replace bridges, making them safer, more efficient, and reliable.
• National Electric Vehicle Program: This invests in projects that create electric vehicle charging stations and infrastructure.

The chart below breaks down the funding estimates for Illinois.

The infrastructure law creates more than 20 competitive grant programs that can address northeastern Illinois’ most pressing transportation challenges. Many of the grant programs align with regional priorities outlined in ON TO 2050.

The chart below lists active and upcoming grant programs with links to information about who can apply and how. The list is not comprehensive, and it will be updated periodically.

The infrastructure law makes historic investments that will make it easier on residents across the region’s seven counties to access our best-paid industries and improve their quality of life. The only way for the whole region to maximize the benefits of this law is by working together.

CMAP already has started preparing the region for this once-in-a-generation opportunity. We are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to prioritize projects. We helped prioritize and support three applications for the “MEGA” grant program — large and significant projects that can deliver the most benefits for a region.

CMAP also has gathered industry leaders and partners to prepare for the $5 billion in competitive funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Our goal is to develop a unified plan that can ensure more equitable development of a regional charging network.

The work is just beginning. As a coordinating regional agency, CMAP is excited to convene, prioritize, and build consensus around the new opportunities the infrastructure law creates.

There are many resources to help communities plan for the infrastructure law, including: