DOWNERS GROVE – The Illinois Tollway, in partnership with Blick Art Materials and MB Real Estate (MBRE), invites high school art students to submit original artwork honoring the service and sacrifice of the Illinois State Police for a chance to have their design chosen as the cover of the 2020 Tollway Map.
The Illinois State Police is dedicated to promoting public safety to improve the quality of life in Illinois, including patrolling the 294-mile Illinois Tollway system. Among their duties, state troopers serve to protect lives and property, enforce criminal laws and motor vehicle safety laws and respond to emergencies.
This year, in the wake of the tragic loss of a string of Illinois State troopers in the line of duty, including two who died serving the Illinois Tollway, the contest is recognizing the distinguished work done by the Illinois State Police patrolling Tollways and state highways, protecting and assisting drivers despite the risks they face themselves.
“These troopers demonstrated the courage and dedication that exemplifies the service provided by Illinois State Police to the public they protect,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We want to honor these troopers and the vital work still being done by their colleagues with the help of young artists across the state whom we invite to create images that will provide a visual memorial to the service and sacrifice of these remarkable men and women.”
The 2020 Tollway Map Cover Art Contest offers young artists the chance to illustrate the service and sacrifice of Illinois State Police troopers. Areas of focus may include, but are not limited to, how the Illinois State Police:
Improves the quality of life for Illinois motorists through the principles of integrity, service and pride
Promotes traffic safety on Illinois roadways through enforcement of motor vehicle laws

Serves the Tollway with motorcycle patrols, K-9 units and detectives to keep people, roadways and communities safe
More than 300 high schools in the 12 counties served by the Illinois Tollway have been sent information about this year’s contest. Art contest entries will be accepted beginning September 16, 2019, and must be postmarked no later than Oct. 11, 2019.
Winner
Artwork created by the grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the Tollway’s 2020 map, which is distributed at no cost to more than 75,000 customers. The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. Awards include:
Grand prize winner: $400 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $200 in gift certificates from MBRE to use at oases retail shops and restaurants
Runners-up: $200 gift certificate from Blick Art Materials and $100 in gift certificates from MBRE
A certificate of appreciation for all students who participate in the contest
“Blick Art Materials is pleased to support the efforts of student artists to promote the Illinois State Police,” said Blick Art Materials Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “We are always impressed with the creativity of the participants in the art contest and are particularly excited about this year’s contest theme.”
An Illinois Tollway committee will initially judge all contest entries to determine the top 10. Those top 10 entries will be featured on the Illinois Tollway’s website and displayed in galleries at each of the five Tollway oases pavilions. The public will be invited to view the artwork and cast their votes online to choose the top four entries. The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be selected by a panel of judges, including members of the Tollway Board of Directors and representatives from MBRE.
“MB Real Estate is pleased to be partnering with the Illinois Tollway for this year’s map cover art contest to promote the work of the Illinois State Police and to showcase the creativity of young artists in the community,” said MBRE Operations Manager Steve Merical. “We look forward to displaying the artwork throughout the oases.”
The 2020 Tollway Map Cover Art Contest rules and all required entry forms are posted on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com.
The Illinois Tollway launched the Map Cover Art Contest in 2011 to highlight the work of talented art students from the communities served by the Illinois Tollway. Last year, nearly 40 entries from student artists were submitted and more than 30,000 votes were cast by the general public to determine the four contest finalists. The 2019 Tollway map features cover artwork from last year’s contest winner, Courtney Kurtz, a junior at Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox.