Illinois Work Zone Crashes Rise as State Agencies Launch Safety Campaign
Work Zone Safety Push Comes Amid Surge in Crashes
As Illinois ramps up road construction across the state, state agencies are coordinating a safety campaign to reduce work zone crashes and injuries. The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway have partnered for National Work Zone Awareness Week with the goal of making construction zones safer for everyone on the road.
The Numbers Behind the Push
Illinois State Police data shows a concerning trend in work zone safety. In the first three months of 2026, police responded to 640 crashes in work zones, with 91 resulting in injuries. This follows an alarming increase in fatalities - preliminary statistics for 2025 show 35 people died in work zones, an increase of 22 from the previous year.
Each year, an average of 6,195 crashes occur in Illinois work zones, resulting in 1,073 injuries. Most victims are drivers and passengers rather than workers.
Governors Proclamation Sparks Awareness
Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed April 20-24 as Work Zone Safety Awareness Week in the state. The governor's office is working with state agencies to promote the message that construction zones require extra caution from all motorists.
At IDOT, we are doing more than ever this year to fix and modernize roads and bridges. Please remember to remain alert for work zones, slow down and give our crews plenty of room to do their jobs.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said at a news conference.
New Safety Measures on the Horizon
The Illinois Department of Transportation is implementing several new safety measures this year. IDOT is connecting with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Work Zone Data Exchange, which will allow mapping apps such as Google, Apple and Waze to share information on work zone activities with the public.
Other measures include expanding the use of photo enforcement vans, coordinating with state police to assign additional troopers near construction activities, and deploying more temporary rumble strips approaching projects.
Shared Responsibility
Safety is a shared responsibility when driving through road construction work zones.
Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly emphasized this point. Already in the first three months of 2026, ISP alone has handled 640 crashes in work zones, 91 of which resulted in injuries. It's simple: Slow down and pay attention when driving through work zones to keep road workers, you and other drivers safe.
At the Illinois Tollway, safety is at the core of everything we do, especially as construction season gets underway.
Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse stated. Slowing down, staying alert and avoiding distractions in work zones protects everyone on the road. When we each take responsibility, we help ensure everyone gets home safely.
Statewide Awareness Campaign
Iconic bridges across the state will be lit orange to commemorate the week. These include Peoria's Murray Baker Bridge, the Interstate 74 bridge over the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities, and Rockford's Morgan Street Bridge.
The Illinois Department of Transportation is partnering with communities and businesses across the state to light buildings and bridges orange to promote the message. These efforts are part of a multimedia campaign, It's Not a Game, highlighting that there are no extra lives, no respawns and no second chances to get it right with safety on the roads.
What Drivers Need to Know
Officials are urging all motorists to slow down, stay alert, and eliminate distractions when nearing construction zones. The message is simple: see orange, slow down, and help ensure everyone - drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians - gets home safely.