Illinois Tollway Honored with Two International Awards for Excellence and Engagement
The Illinois Tollway’s commitment to bringing stakeholders and industry advocates to the table and its innovating efforts to care for employees have earned the agency recognition from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the global association for owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them.
IBTTA presented the Illinois Tollway with a pair of awards – Outreach, Opportunity and Engagement Award for its Diversity Advisory Council and a Toll Excellence Award in the Administration and Finance category for its Transitional Duty Program – during the organization’s 93rd annual meeting and exhibition in October.
“Recognition from IBTTA reflects the hard work of our employees and partners put in to deliver excellent service to our customers, strengthen our communities and support our colleagues,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “I am grateful to everyone at the Tollway and the partners assisting us by contributing to our culture of excellence and innovation.”
Illinois Tollway’s Diversity Advisory Council earned the IBTTA Outreach Opportunity and Engagement Award honoring organizations that make meaningful strides in promoting racial justice, equity, inclusion and societal opportunities.
Created in 2015, the council has become a national model for expanding opportunity in infrastructure investment. Representatives from more than 20 advocacy organizations participate in the council and work directly with Tollway leadership to shape policies that expand access for small, diverse and veteran-owned firms and create pathways to careers in heavy highway construction and engineering.
The Diversity Advisory Council’s advocacy has led to supporting veteran participation goals on contracts, as well as awarding more than $100 million in contracts through the Tollway’s Small Business Initiative, which is designed to increase participation by small construction companies. The council also worked on expanding Partnering for Growth, which pairs emerging businesses with larger, established firms for mentorship and collaboration.
By serving as a trusted two-way conduit between communities and the agency, the council has improved procurement outcomes, advanced workforce diversity and built lasting trust.
In addition, each year six Toll Excellence award winners are selected celebrating the best in tolling and transportation innovation, highlighting programs that push boundaries and advance best practices.
The Illinois Tollway’s Transitional Duty Program earned IBTTA’s 2025 Toll Excellence Award in Administration and Finance for reimagining how the agency supports its workforce.
By creating flexible roles and smart health resources, the Transitional Duty program keeps employees connected and engaged during recovery. This ensures the Tollway can continue delivering reliable service and safe roadways for customers across Northern Illinois.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has achieved significant results, including cutting lost workdays by 56 percent in 2024 and achieving a claims closure rate of 71 percent.
The Transitional Duty Program incorporates 24/7 nurse triage, telehealth and real-time injury analytics. Information about an injury is analyzed as soon as it is received, leading to tailored, modified-duty assignments that keep staff engaged in meaningful roles during recovery.