IDOT Secretary Osman announces retirement

Omer Osman, Illinois Department of Transportation secretary, announced his retirement on December 10. Osman, who began his career with IDOT in 1989, has served as secretary since 2019. 

During his time at IDOT, Osman aimed to position the transportation agency as a leader in innovation and championed diversity both within IDOT and in its partnerships.

Key projects Osman oversaw as secretary include modernizing Interstate 80 in the Chicago area, reconstructing the I-57/74 interchange in Champaign-Urbana, improving capacity to I-57 in southern Illinois and renewing Illinois’ focus on multimodal transportation.

Osman played a key role in the continued partnership between IDOT and Illinois Center for Transportation, which together aim to create a safer as well as more resilient and sustainable transportation system in Illinois and beyond.

The two agencies signed a six-year, $48 million agreement in July 2024 for their joint research program. Together ICT and IDOT have completed over 325 joint projects, with over 45 currently active projects.

“It has been a true honor to work alongside Secretary Osman throughout his distinguished career at IDOT,” said Imad Al-Qadi, director of the Illinois Center for Transportation.

“His leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing transportation in Illinois and across the nation have made a lasting impact,” he added “Secretary Osman’s dedication to implementing innovative research solutions and his visionary approach to achieving net-zero emissions for the state have been truly inspiring.”

Governor JB Pritzker announced that Gia Biagi will serve as the next IDOT secretary. She has decades of experience in urban planning, transportation and public policy.