SB2981 Summary: Innovations for Transportation Infrastructure Act

• Authorizes the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to use design-build and Construction Manager/General Contractor project delivery methods for transportation facilities as alternatives to traditional design-bid-build contracts.

• Establishes cost limits: Department projects cannot exceed $400 million in contracts over any 5-year period; Authority projects cannot exceed 20% of annual improvement program; Department limited to 2 Construction Manager/General Contractor projects per year.

• Requires agencies to conduct best interests analysis before using alternative delivery methods, evaluate proposals based on best value criteria, and maintain independent oversight through owner's representatives or construction managers for projects over $30 million.

• Mandates compliance with prevailing wage requirements, disadvantaged business enterprise utilization goals, project labor agreements, and all applicable federal laws and regulations for funded transportation projects.

• Sunsets the Act on July 1, 2032, and requires annual reporting to the General Assembly for the first 5 years on procurement progress and project outcomes.