Kane County committee backs quick-take request to secure $25 million INFRA grant for Randall Road at Hops project

The Kane County Transportation Committee voted to request quick-take authority from the Illinois General Assembly to speed right-of-way acquisition and protect a $25,000,000 federal INFRA grant for the Randall Road at Hops intersection realignment and railroad grade separation project.

The request, presented by KDOT staff member Mr. Schroeder, follows a competitive federal grant award that requires the county to be under contract by Sept. 30, 2026. "We have a $25,000,000 federal infra grant, which is a competitive grant that we were awarded. That grant comes with a deadline. We need to be under contract by September 30, 2026," Schroeder said.

Committee members were shown project exhibits describing realignment work to correct a skewed intersection, flatten a roadway curve, widen Randall Road to three through lanes in each direction at the location, and construct an overpass for Randall Road over the Canadian National Railroad. The work will require property from nine property owners: 6.281 acres of fee simple acquisitions plus smaller permanent and temporary easements.

Schroeder told the committee the county prefers negotiated purchases but needs quick-take as a timing tool: "In a normal eminent domain case ... the property would not change hands until the entire court case is over" and that process can take at least 18 months. "That's why we're asking for this authority," he said, noting that quick-take allows property to change hands earlier in the court case after a preliminary just-compensation determination is deposited with the court.

Committee members asked how the preliminary compensation is set and how the county will fund it. Schroeder said the court determines a preliminary just compensation based on appraisals. He provided a planning-level total-project estimate of $60,000,000 and said local matching funds are available to meet the grant’s match requirement.

The committee approved the motion to request quick-take authority and proceed with the preliminary steps (board resolution, public hearing, notifications to property owners) needed before approaching the legislature. Several committee members said they wanted further briefings on project finances and timing; staff agreed to present a more detailed financing overview and related project briefings at future meetings.

The request is procedural: it seeks legislative quick-take authority to accelerate right-of-way acquisition so the county can meet the INFRA grant schedule. Committee members emphasized they would continue to negotiate directly with property owners and use condemnation only if negotiations fail.