Reconstruct FAA contract tower

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded the Illinois Department of Transportation a Project Grant totaling $864,880 under the Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and COVID-19 Airports Programs (CFDA 20.106) on September 8, 2025. This award provides federal funding for a state block grant program that administers Airport Improvement Program sub-awards to nonprimary airports throughout Illinois. The grant supports infrastructure improvements at eligible airports included in the National Plan of Integrated Airports Systems, with an ultimate project completion date of September 7, 2029.

Under this award, the Illinois Department of Transportation is administering federal funds to support airport infrastructure development across the state's nonprimary airports. A sub-award was issued to the Joliet Regional Port District on January 16, 2026, for a locally-let building construction project involving reimbursement for air traffic control tower construction, specifically the build-out of Levels 2, 3, and 4. This sub-award demonstrates the state's role in distributing federal resources to support critical airport infrastructure improvements, including control tower modernization and rehabilitation necessary to maintain safe and efficient airport operations.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project awards a state block grant program grant to the state of illinois to administer airport improvement program sub-awards for nonprimary airports within the state. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports in the illinois state block grant program.