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Stay alert for crews, heavy
equipment as peak roadside mowing period begins
[June 30, 2026]
SPRINGFIELD – With peak
roadside mowing season underway, the Illinois Department of
Transportation is reminding the public to slow down, proceed with
caution and pay extra attention when encountering equipment and
personnel. In keeping with the recent practice of timing operations
to preserve and promote pollinator habitat, the heaviest mowing
period will continue until Aug. 15.
“You’ll see our mowing crews throughout the entire state so please
remember to give them room to do their jobs safely,” said Illinois
Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Our top priorities are
protecting our workers, the public and the environment.”
During the summer, IDOT conducts two primary types of mowing. Safety
mowing occurs directly adjacent to the road as needed. Maintenance
mowing, which lasts for approximately six weeks and starts around
July 1, includes areas next to culverts, ditches, traffic control
devices and other structures, while following the Illinois
Monarch Project Mowing Guidelines for Pollinators, protecting as
much habitat and nectar resources as possible.
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The mowing schedule helps to
minimize the impact on the traveling public and encourage pollinator
activity, which assists in the reproduction of flowers, fruits and
vegetables that are essential to the state’s ecosystem and
agricultural economy. Reducing the amount of land maintained and
growing pollinator habitat also protects the endangered rusty
patched bumble bee and the monarch butterfly, the official state
insect of Illinois.
In 2020, IDOT joined in the launch
of the Illinois Monarch Action Plan as part of the Illinois Monarch
Project, a collaborative effort with local and state partners to
help ensure the survival and successful migration of monarchs by
increasing and protecting habitat.
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