History of Growth and Activities
The Illinois Association of Highway Engineers was founded in 1936 and has grown steadily ever since, adapting to meet the needs of transportation professionals across Illinois.
Our Roots
Founded in 1936
The Illinois Association of Highway Engineers was established as a chartered, non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-union organization. From the beginning, membership has been strictly voluntary and open to eligible personnel of the Illinois Department of Transportation and its affiliates.
The Association is governed by its members through a Board of Directors elected from and by local Chapters — a structure that ensures the organization remains responsive to the people it serves.
The Illinois Association of Highway Engineers was founded in 1936 as a chartered, non-profit, non-sectarian, and non-union organization. From its earliest days, membership has been strictly voluntary and open to eligible personnel of the Illinois Department of Transportation and its affiliates. The Association is governed by its members through a Board of Directors elected by the membership, ensuring that local voices and statewide perspectives are represented equally. Originally conceived as a means of combating undesirable employment practices, political abuses, and inadequate working conditions, the organization quickly gained recognition and grew stronger, broader, and more influential across the state.
Over the decades, the Association has steadily expanded its scope and activities to better serve transportation professionals throughout Illinois. What began as a focused effort to establish standards of conduct and address inequities has grown into a multifaceted organization offering professional development, networking opportunities, and social events. The IAHE now hosts conferences, chapter meetings, scholarship programs, and recreational activities such as bowling tournaments. Each of these initiatives reinforces the organization's commitment to mutual growth and accomplishment among its members, while also encouraging camaraderie and the exchange of ideas among highway engineers and related professionals.
Today, the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers continues its mission to promote the interests of transportation professionals and to advocate for adequate wages, fair employment practices, and professional recognition. The organization's steady growth over more than eight decades reflects its enduring relevance and the dedication of its members. Through statewide chapters, regular meetings, and a robust calendar of events, the IAHE remains a vital resource for engineers at every stage of their careers. The Association's history of adaptation and service ensures that it will continue to meet the evolving needs of Illinois transportation professionals for years to come.
Milestones
Decades of Service
IAHE is founded by and for highway engineering professionals in Illinois, creating a voluntary association dedicated to mutual objectives and professional camaraderie.
Historical IAHE publications from 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1977 document the Association's growing influence, featuring notable figures such as Ed Brooks, Jim Graziano, Jim Shay, and Vernon Barr.
The 79th Annual IAHE Conference brought members together for professional development and networking. A winter mixer event also took place that year, reinforcing the Association's social traditions.
The Paris Chapter (Chapter 5) offered three $500 scholarships: two for engineering majors and one open to any IAHE member or immediate family member in any curriculum at an accredited institution.
Looking Forward
The Association Continues to Evolve
IAHE preserves its historical records and publications while continually adapting its programs — from annual conferences and bowling tournaments to chapter-based scholarships — to meet the changing needs of its members.
Local chapters across Illinois, including those in Paris, Peoria, Schaumburg, Springfield, Carbondale, Collinsville, Dixon, Effingham, and Ottawa, carry forward the Association's mission in their communities.