Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The people on road crews are moms and dads, and who better to deliver that message than Harper Stork, a nine-year-old from Springfield.

“I love my dad, and I want him and all the people he works with and the first responders and every motorist to make it home safely at the end of the day.”

“In just the first three months of 2026, ISP has already handled 640 crashes in recognized work zones across the state,” said State Police Capt. Josh Adcock. “Of those, 91 resulted in someone being injured. Already this year, eight of our troopers have been struck by people who have failed to slow down, move over, and yield to emergency vehicles. Two of these troopers suffered serious injury.”

IDOT Secretary Gia Biagi said that with the state’s capital construction program continuing, you’ll see more work zones than you may have in previous years. IDOT headquarters was the scene Tuesday morning for the announcement of Work Zone Safety Awareness Week.