Serving Illinois Transportation Professionals Since 1936

About IAHE

A voluntary association governed by its members

The Illinois Association of Highway Engineers has served the state’s transportation professionals since its founding, building a legacy of advocacy and mutual support that spans decades. What began as a focused effort to address workplace concerns has grown into a respected statewide organization. Members share a common commitment to the highways and infrastructure that connect communities across Illinois, and the association remains dedicated to protecting the interests of those who design, build, and maintain them.

Membership in the association is strictly voluntary and open to eligible personnel of the Illinois Department of Transportation and its affiliates. The organization is chartered as a non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-union body, governed solely by an elected board of directors. This structure ensures that decisions reflect the collective voice of the membership, free from outside influence, and that the association remains focused on the professional needs of the people it represents.

Local chapters form the backbone of the association, bringing members together in communities such as Carbondale, Collinsville, Dixon, Effingham, Ottawa, Paris, Peoria, Schaumburg, and Springfield. Each chapter provides a space for networking, professional development, and social connection, helping to bridge the distances that separate colleagues across the state. Through regular meetings and local activities, chapters strengthen the bonds that make the statewide organization resilient and responsive.

Professional growth is a cornerstone of the association’s mission. By encouraging accomplishment and offering opportunities for continued learning, the organization helps members advance their careers while upholding high standards of conduct. The association has gradually gained recognition for the engineer’s role in public service, and it continues to promote the value that skilled transportation professionals bring to every Illinois community.

The association’s annual conference brings together transportation professionals from every corner of the state for a program of learning, networking, and celebration. These gatherings provide a forum for exchanging ideas, discussing emerging trends in highway engineering, and recognizing the contributions of dedicated members. The conference has become a signature event that reflects the association’s broader scope and its commitment to fostering a strong professional community.

Scholarship programs represent one of the ways the association invests in the future of the transportation field. By supporting the educational pursuits of members and their families, the organization helps cultivate the next generation of engineers and public-works professionals. This commitment to education reinforces the association’s belief that strong careers begin with opportunity and that the industry grows stronger when knowledge is shared across generations.

Social and recreational activities, including the popular bowling tournament, offer members a chance to connect outside the workplace in a relaxed, friendly setting. These events build camaraderie and strengthen the personal relationships that underpin a supportive professional network. The association understands that a sense of belonging and shared experience is just as important as formal advocacy when it comes to sustaining a healthy, engaged membership.

The association publishes a newsletter that keeps members informed about current events, policy developments, chapter activities, and organizational news. This regular communication ensures that every member, regardless of location or schedule, stays connected to the broader community. By providing timely, relevant information, the newsletter supports transparency and encourages active participation in the life of the organization.

From its early days combating undesirable employment practices and political abuses to its modern role as a statewide professional body, the association has remained steadfast in its purpose. The fight for adequate wages, fair treatment, and respect for the transportation professional continues to guide the organization’s efforts. With each passing year, the association grows stronger and broader in scope, always rooted in the ideals of service and mutual support.