AASHTO Journal - Gia Biagi Tapped to be Illinois DOT Secretary

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) recently appointed Gia Biagi (above) to become the next secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, pending the approval of the state legislature. She will replace current Secretary Omer Osman, who is retiring after a 35-year career at Illinois DOT at the end of 2024.

[Above photo via the Illinois Governor’s Office]

“As my administration continues our ambitious goals to revitalize transportation across the state, I’m excited to appoint Gia Biagi as the next leader of Illinois DOT,” the governor noted in a statement. “Her expansive portfolio and unique leadership experience will undoubtedly propel Illinois DOT’s mission forward and strengthen Illinois’ infrastructure efforts.”

Biagi joins Illinois DOT after four years of service at the Chicago Department of Transportation. She also served as principal of urbanism and civic impact at Studio Gang Architects, a Chicago-based architecture and urban design practice, where she advised private- and public- sector clients on urban design, community engagement and land use planning.

She also spent more than 10 years at the Chicago Park District, eventually serving as Chief of Staff after years of various leadership and urban development strategy roles.

“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity … to help deliver a world-class transportation system for Illinois,” said Biagi, who holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“Investments in our critical infrastructure connect our residents to the places they need to go, create jobs, and improve the quality of life in communities in every corner of our state,” she added.

Meantime, the governor thanked outgoing Secretary Osman “for so many years of dedicated service to our state.”

Osman began his career at Illinois DOT in 1989, working first as a civil engineer and then transitioning into executive management of the agency; overseeing historic projects such as the modernization of Interstate 80 in Chicago area, the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction in Champaign-Urbana, capacity improvements to I-57 in southern Illinois and a renewed focus on multi-modalism.

He was appointed secretary of the agency in 2019 where he helped implement the state’s ambitious “Rebuild Illinois” infrastructure program. Osman also championed diversity through all levels of the agency, and strongly advocated for minority- and women- owned businesses in partnership with Illinois DOT.

At the national level, Osman also served as co-chair of the AASHTO-AGC-ARTBA Joint Executive Committee; a collaborative group comprised of members of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.

“There has been no greater honor for me than leading this agency, the finest department of transportation anywhere,” he said. “Each day, Illinois DOT keeps Illinois safe and connected while promoting quality of life and creating opportunity. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments, including keeping projects on track during a global pandemic. I look forward to seeing new exciting ideas and projects under the new secretary and the top-notch Illinois DOT staff.”