Airport of the Year awards announced by IDOT 

Honors highlight commitment to safety, customer satisfaction 

SPRINGFIELD – Reflecting the importance and strength of the Illinois aviation system, six airports have received Airport of the Year awards from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The awards were presented this week during the Illinois Public Airports Association fall conference in Galena. 

 “Our airports connect us to the world, one of the many reasons why Illinois is the transportation hub of North America,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “These awards highlight their efforts as well as those of the entire Illinois aviation community.” ​ 

The winners were selected based on their accomplishments, including an outstanding partnership with IDOT and a strong commitment to customer safety and satisfaction. Among the award considerations are cooperation and coordination with the state, safety record, facility maintenance and promotion of aviation. 

The 2025 recipients are: ​ ​ ​

  • Rockford International ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Primary Airport of the Year
  • Lansing Municipal ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Reliever Airport of the Year
  • Mt. Sterling Municipal ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Large General Aviation Airport of the Year
  • Greenville Airport ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Small General Aviation Airport of the Year
  • Quad City Med Force ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Heliport of the Year
  • Rinkenberger ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Airport of the Year

 Illinois is home to almost 100 public airports and heliports, with nearly 3,000 aircraft registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. The system of airports supports more than 492,000 jobs, with a combined payroll of $21.9 billion and a total economic impact of $95.4 billion. Across the state, there are more than 700 aviation facilities, including heliports, balloon, glider and ultra-light landing facilities as well as grass landing strips. ​ 

 Through Gov. Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, IDOT is investing a total of $150 million in aviation. In 2021, the governor announced a $94 million commitment to airports throughout the state, unlocking $11.5 million in local contributions for a combined investment of $105 million. The funding was the largest statewide capital investment for airports in state history. 

To learn more about aviation in Illinois and the Illinois Aviation System Plan, visit www.ilaviation.com. 

 ​ ​ # # # 

Paul Wappel

IDOT

Maria Castaneda

IDOT

 

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