The Connector - ACEC Illinois September Newsletter

Senate Transit Hearings Continue, House Creates Working Group

What's happening: Illinois faces a public transit crisis, with the Chicago-area transit agency approaching a $730 million fisca l cliff by 2026 while dealing with new service demands and modernization needs.

Key points:

Hearings: The Senate Transportation Committee is holding hearings, including one in Elgin focused on transit's impact on public health.

House Action: Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch announced a new Public Transit Working Grou p to explore improvements and make recommendations for a safer, more reliable, and environmentally conscious system.

Leadership: Reps. Kam Buckner and Eva-Dina Delgado will lead the group, emphasizing collaboration and bold visions for a seamless, equitable, and rider-centered transit system.

Next steps: The working group will engage stakeholders and review proposals to strengthen Illinois' public transit system.

Illinois Set to Receive Influx of $350 million in Funds from FHWA's August Redistribution

What's happening: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) distributed an additional $8.7 billion in federal-aid highways funding to state DOTs and D.C. as part of the annual "August redistribution." Illinois will receive $350 million from this redistribution.

Key points:

Total Funding: This brings the total spendable highway formula funding for fiscal 2024 to $62.1 billion.

Deadline: States must obligate their share of the $8.7 billion by September 25, or the funds will lapse.

Process: FHWA reclaimed funds from non-formula programs and redistributed them to states based on how much they could spend quickly. Most states received nearly as much as they requested.

Trend: August redistribution, a "use it or lose it" process since 1981, has significantly grown under the IIJA infrastructure law. It now represents 14.5% of the total obligation limitation for FY24, with potential for further growth next year.

City of Chicago Receives $15 million EV Charging Grant

What's happening: The Biden Administration announced $521 million in new grants to install electric vehicle (EV) and alternative fuel charging stations across 29 states and D.C. This is the second round of grants under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), following $622.6 million in grants earlier this year.

Key points:

Focus: The grants will support the expansion of a nationwide EV charger network, ensuring accessible and reliable charging for all drivers.

Breakdown: $321 million will fund 41 community grants, while $200 million will fund 10 corridor grants.

Quote: "These awards will help secure the cost savings, health and climate benefits, and jobs of the EV future for Americans across the country," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Bottom Line: Charge Up Chicago! Will receive $15 million in Federal funds to expand EV charging access. To view all the grant recipients, click here.

"Engineering Works" Podcast

Engineering Works is powered by the ACEC of Illinois. We will be featuring the innovators, creators, designers, and engineers who are making engineering work in Illinois and reshaping our state.

Listen Here

Member Updates:

Benton & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Associate.

Benton & Associates, Inc. is pleased to announce Erick L. DeBolt has attained the position of Associate of the firm in recognition of his years of service, contributions to our client's projects and commitment to the future of Benton & Associates, Inc.

Erick L. DeBolt has been employed with Benton & Associates for over nine (9) years and is a Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. Mr. DeBolt is a graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering as well as a B.S. in Physics from Illinois College at Jacksonville, Illinois. Mr. DeBolt serves as project engineer for water/wastewater treatment and distribution/collection systems. Erick is also a firm leader in environmental permitting, project funding, and utility operations.

Mr. DeBolt resides in Concord with his wife Wendy and sons Everett and Arthur.

Benton & Associates, Inc. is a Consulting Engineering Firm providing Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Services for both public and private clients in Illinois and Missouri. Services include: Environmental, Transportation, Land Development, Structural Engineering, and Utility Operations.

Firm Update:

In early 2023, Patrick Engineering Inc. was acquired by RINA Consulting S.p.A, the subsidiary of the RINA Group. operating in multiple engineering sectors worldwide with thousands of RINA employees around the globe. For the past 18 months, Patrick Engineering has continued to do business under its historic name and logo. Now, as part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence, we are rebranding to RINA. This change reflects our evolving business and the dynamic services we offer and is a part of becoming ONE RINA. This is the name and logo you will see on all of our company-branded materials going forward.

RINA’s global network of over 5,800 talented professionals are committed to collaborating with our clients and partners to develop solutions to today’s challenges. With a focus on energy transition and transportation, we specialize in engineering solutions across a wide range of markets, including Marine, Energy, Infrastructure and Mobility, Real Estate, Space and Defense, and Industry 4.0. The people in our global network come from various cultures, countries, and backgrounds – respecting and embracing these differences makes us much stronger to develop the solutions to today's challenges.

Please know that while our brand name and logo are changing, our legal entity remains Patrick Engineering Inc. Official legal and financial documents will be signed under that name until the name change is legally formalized in due course. Our dedication to providing exceptional industry service and support will continue as always. This is an exciting milestone for us and our clients as it strengthens our presence in the North American market, enhancing our ability to serve our clients and allowing us to offer more comprehensive solutions and drive innovation across our markets under our new brand, RINA.

The Intersection of Digital Transformation and the AEC Industry: Insights from Stantec's CTO

Welcome to the Engineering Influence Podcast from ACEC. In this episode, Thomas Grogan, Senior Director of Economics and Market Intelligence at ACEC, engages in an insightful discussion with Shankar Kalyana, Chief Technology Officer at Stantec.

Listen HERE

9.11.24 Top Golf Networking Event - Summary - Topgolf - Networking Event for Emerging Professionals (cvent.com)

9.16.24 IDOT Maintenance of Traffic Design Seminar - Summary - IDOT Maintenance of Traffic Design Seminar (cvent.com)

9.17.24 Webinar - Fostering a Workplace Free of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination - Summary - Fostering a Workplace Free of Sexual Harassment and Discrimination (cvent.com)

9.18-19.24 IDOT Bridge Seminar Springfield - Springfield Bridge Seminar

9.26.24 Webinar - Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) - CMMC Webinar

10.1.24 IDOT ORD Overview Lombard - Lombard ORD

10.2.24 IL Tollway Regional Luncheon - Save the Date

10.3.24 IDOT ORD Overview Springfield - Springfield ORD

10.8.24 Webinar: Planning for Career Growth - How to be Invaluable in the A&E Industry - Planning for Career Growth - How to Be Invaluable in the A&E Industry registration - Webex

10.9-10.24 2024 ACEC Illinois Fall Conference - 2024 Details & Registration

10.15-16.24 IDOT Bridge Seminar - Lombard - Lombard Bridge Seminar

11.4.24 CTA Regional Luncheon - Save the Date

11.12.24 Webinar Navigating the CDOT Specifications: Best Practices and Key Insights - Navigating CDOT Specifications: Best Practices and Key Insights registration - Webex

11.20.24 IDOT Phase 1 Seminar - Save the Date

12.10.24 Springfield Holiday Party - Save the Date

12.17.24 Oak Brook Holiday Party - Save the Date

1.14.25 Webinar: Next Gen Revolution: Multigenerational Leadership - Webinar

2025 Executive Leadership Institute Agenda - Save the Date

2.27.25 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards - Save the Date

3.8.25 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament - Save the Date

3.12.25 Dogwood Social House: Emerging Professional Mixer - Save the Date

6.3.25 Spring Board Meeting & Luncheon - Save the Date

SUBMIT UPDATES & ARTICLES: Please submit firm update & news articles by the 15th of each month to: bethany@acecil.org Articles and updates will be included in the membership newsletter, posted on our website, and shared through our social media feeds.

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