FHWA Approves IDOT’ s Construction Activities Set Forth in July 31st Letting

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (“IDOT”) letting took place on July 31, 2026. This meeting was part of the department’s regularly scheduled procurement cycle, which occurs seven times a year. This letting included projects for highway construction, construction-related services, and airport upgrades.

IDOT issues the Notice of Letting to advertise and solicit bids for highway construction, airport work, and other construction-related projects under its jurisdiction. Contractors and interested parties can access detailed information through the IDOT Letting and Bidding Website.

The July 31, 2026 Letting includes revised procurement code requirements for subcontractor reporting. Prime Contractors are required to submit the Financial Disclosure Form A & B and the Subcontractor Certification into the Department’s Vendor Documentation system for subcontracts with a value of $100,000 or greater (previously only $50,000). However, these requirements do not apply to material suppliers, truckers, and professional service companies.

Additionally, IDOT made changes to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. The definition of “public works” now includes all federal construction projects administered or controlled by a public body if the prevailing rate of wages published by the Illinois Department of Labor is equal to or greater than the prevailing wage determination by the United States Secretary of Labor for the same locality for the same type of construction used to classify the federal construction project.

Finally, new FAA Buy American Preference provisions apply to all IDOT Division of Aeronautics federal-aid contracts. Failure to submit documents, such as the “Certification of Compliance with FAA Buy American Preference – Construction Projects,” in accordance with bidding procedures will result in the bid being declared non-responsive. To comply with updated regulations, the bidder must submit the completed and signed form with the bid. In the event that a bid is non-responsive, the Department may deny authorization to bid for the project if the project is re-advertised for bids.

For more information related to the IDOT July Letting or IDOT regulations, please contact the qualified attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC.