Put a Lid on Litter! Roadside cleanup operations in full swing

SPRINGFIELD – With the weather getting warmer and litter operations ramping up, the Illinois Department of Transportation is asking the public to be on the alert for maintenance crews picking up trash and other debris across the state. Everyone can do their part to keep Illinois roads clean, take pride in their environment, provide a positive first impression to visitors by disposing trash where it belongs and “Put a Lid on Litter!”

“Litter is more than an eyesore, it has harmful consequences for safety and the environment,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “At IDOT, we are doing more than ever this year to keep roadsides clean. Please help us put a lid on litter by disposing trash where it belongs and slowing down when you see our maintenance teams out collecting litter.”

Already this spring, IDOT crews have been dispatched to remove litter throughout Illinois, focusing on ramps, interchanges and known problem areas. The efforts will increase heading into summer. ​

In addition to regular daytime litter removal, IDOT this year is introducing overnight sweeping operations along expressways in Cook County and the collar counties. Doing the work when traffic volumes are lighter is not only safer but also allows more territory to be covered. Cleanup efforts and sweeping operations will continue to take place along the expressway system on a rotating basis during weekends. ​

Although lane closures typically are not required during litter removal, equipment and workers will be present along the right of way and on shoulders. If you encounter IDOT vehicles and workers, please slow down, move over and give them space – it’s the law.

Also this spring, IDOT is joining forces with Chicago Gateway Green, a nonprofit, public-private partnership that lines up sponsors on the Chicago expressway system to address litter and graffiti removal on a regular basis as well as add landscaping to high-profile areas. The department is participating by sponsoring sections with “Put a Lid on Litter!” signs at the Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 90/94) near 35th Street, the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) approaching McCormick Place and the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) at Ogden Avenue and Armitage Avenue.

While IDOT is committed to keeping its more than 150,000 miles of roadsides clean, the public can play a part as well. Remember to use bags and receptacles in your vehicle to collect and dispose of trash. Consider reusable bags for shopping and refillable bottles for beverages to cut down on waste. Properly secure loads with rope, straps, tarps and netting. ​

Last year, IDOT spent approximately $33.2 million statewide picking up litter, sweeping shoulders and removing large debris. That’s the equivalent of buying 100 maintenance trucks that also plow snow or purchasing all of the salt that IDOT spreads in an average winter, with about $3 million left over. It also could pay to resurface 26 miles of four-lane interstate highway.

Litter comes with hidden costs as well, including blocking drainage systems that prevent flooding, harming critical landscaping and putting public safety at risk. ​ ​

Other facts:

Roadside litter causes distractions that can lead to dangerous crashes. It also requires maintenance operations that put workers in potentially hazardous situations amid live traffic.

To view a short video on the impacts of litter in Illinois, click here or visit IDOT’s YouTube channel. ​

Part of a club, church, civic group or workplace and want to get involved? The Adopt-A-Highway program is always looking for volunteers. To learn more about how to join, visit the Adopt-A-Highway page at idot.click/aah to fill out an online application and “adopt” a 2-mile section of highway.

In 2025, volunteer groups in IDOT's Adopt-A-Highway program reported that they logged 777 hours with 2,039 volunteers helping with cleanup activities. More than 1,825 bags of garbage were collected.

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