By Benjamin Yount/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – On this Earth Day, the Illinois Department of Transportation is getting in on the good-for-the-planet action.
IDOT has slowly become one of the biggest tree planters in the state.
Each year the agency gives local schools across Illinois thousands of trees.
IDOT’s Jessie Decker said the agency is sending schools 5,000 trees this year.
“It’s a way for us to replace trees that were taken out for construction or maintenance activities,” Decker said. “And it’s also a great way for IDOT to partner and improve our communities across Illinois.”
Decker said each IDOT district will get 550 trees for their local schools.
IDOT has helped plant about 50,000 trees across the state since 2009.