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Illinois State Highway Right-of-Way (3-IL-c)

Information current as of 2025
In Illinois, a developer may need a Highway Utility Permit from the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) to work within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. State route, Illinois state route, or state-maintained roadway. Ill. Comp. Stat. tit. 605 §§ 9-113; Illinois Department of Transportation Website – Utility Permits. IDOT and county highway authorities have authority to “...promulgate reasonable and necessary rules, regulations, and specifications" for state highway rights-of-way. Ill. Comp. Stat. tit. 605 §§ 9-113(b). IDOT and county highway authorities regulate state highway encroachments pursuant to 605 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 9-101 et seq., and Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §§ 530 et seq.



State Highway Right-of-Way Process


3-IL-c.1 to 3-IL-c.2 – Does the Project Require a Highway Utility Permit?

A developer must obtain a Highway Utility Permit to construct any “ditches, drains, track…poles, wires, pipe line or other equipment…located, placed, or constructed upon, under or along any highway, or upon any township or district road…” IDOT. 605 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§. §113(a), Illinois Regulations – 92 I.A.C. §§ 530 et seq., Accommodation of Utilities on Right-of-Way. Illinois defines utility to include any “privately, publicly or cooperatively owned line, facility or system for producing, transmitting or distributing….power, electricity…which directly or indirectly serves the public.” Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §530.30.

3-IL-c.3 – Contact District IDOT Office (Optional)

A developer should contact the district IDOT where the project will be located for specific permit requirements. Illinois Department of Transportation Website – Utility Permits. The developer may utilize the IDOT District Map and IDOT District Project Contact Page for further information. Illinois Department of Transportation Website – Utility Permits.

3-IL-c.4 – Highway Utility Permit Application

The developer must submit two (2) complete copies of the Illinois Department of Transportation – Highway Utility Permit Application (“Utility Permit Application”) or an IDOT region specific Highway Utility Permit Application to the applicable IDOT district office for processing. 605 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ §9-113; Illinois Department of Transportation Website – Utility Permits. The Utility Permit Application should include, at minimum, the following:

  • The developer's name, address, and contact information;
  • A detailed description of the proposed work and/or attached sketch or plans of the proposed project, including location, physical description and the type of materials to be used. Scale drawings are preferred;
  • A time schedule for initiation and completion of various steps of the project;
  • Two (2) copies of a surety bond, if required pursuant to Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 § 530.270; and
  • Developer must show compliance with other State agencies, or that the regulations of no other State agencies are relevant to what has been proposed by the applicant (developer).

Il. Comp. Stat. tit. 605 §9-113; Illinois Department of Transportation Website – Utility Permits; and Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §530.100.

3-IL-c.5 to 3-IL-c.6 – Review Application Materials for Completeness

IDOT reviews the Utility Permit Application materials for administrative and technical completeness. IDOT may require the developer submit supplemental information. During the review, IDOT will determine whether the project requires a surety bond pursuant to Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §530.270.

Illinois Department of Transportation Website – Utility Permits.

3-IL-c.7 to 3-IL-c.9 – Review Application Materials for Approval

IDOT must review the Application materials for approval. After reviewing the Utility Permit Application materials, IDOT makes a permit determination which must preserve the “…integrity, safe usage, and visual qualities of the State Highway System.” Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §530.10(a). In regards to the accommodation of a utility at a particular location, IDOT must base their determination upon sound engineering practices. Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 § 530.10(b). IDOT will also “…evaluate the direct and indirect environmental and economic effects of any loss of productive agricultural land which would result from the disapproval of the use of the right-of-way of a highway for the accommodation of a utility.” Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 530.10(c). IDOT should grant the Utility Permit Application unless:

  • The developer has a history of not responding to IDOT requests;
  • There is no public need for the placement of the requested facility on the highway right-of-way;
  • The placement of the requested facility on the highway right-of-way will unduly threaten the safety and convenience of highway users;
  • That the proposed facility, its installation, or its maintenance will interfere with the ability of IDOT to construct, maintain, operate or improve the highway, including appurtenant facilities;
  • The proposed installation is not in compliance with 605 Ill. Comp. Stat. §113(a) or Illinois Regulations – 92 I.A.C. §§ 530 et seq., Accommodation of Utilities on Right-of-Way; or
  • The applicant (developer) does not have liability insurance sufficient to satisfy 92 Ill. Admin. Code §530.50.

Ill. Admin. Code §530.800.

If IDOT denies the Utility Permit, IDOT must submit a letter to the applicant (developer) explaining the reason for denial. The developer may resubmit the Application for consideration if the developer can modify the Application to meet IDOT’s objectives as specified in the letter of denial. Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 530.800.

If IDOT grants the Utility Permit, IDOT will submit a letter to the applicant (developer) granting the Utility Permit subject to terms and conditions in accordance with Illinois – 605 I.L.C.S. §§ 9-101 et seq., General Highway Provisions, Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92, §§ 530 et seq, and the public interest. 605 Ill. Comp. Stat. . §9-113(h).

3-IL-c.10 – Highway Utility Permit

The developer must comply with the any conditions of the Highway Utility Permit. Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §530.200.

3-IL-c.11 – Appeal Decision (Optional)

A developer may appeal IDOT decision regarding the issuance of a Utility Permit or the conditions upon the issuance, within 15 days after the issuance of IDOT permit decision, to the Chief of IDOT’s Central Bureau of Maintenance. The appeal must be in writing and state clearly the basis for the developer’s appeal. The Bureau Chief may respond in writing within 15 days to reaffirm or revise the determination. If no response is received within 15 days, the determination shall remain in effect as if expressly reaffirmed. 

 Ill. Admin. Code tit. 92 §§ § 530.900.


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Contact Information






Edit Illinois Department of Transportation
Transportation Operations (217) 782-7228 dotabbazabbapermitoffice@illinoisabbazabbagov

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