Q: Who do I call if I have a concern about a road?
A: That depends on who has jurisdiction. By state law, there are four jurisdictions of roads in Fulton County.
- The State of Illinois is responsible for all maintenance, construction and drainage within state Rights-of-Ways along state and federal routes (i.e. Illinois Route 9, U.S. Route 24). The Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, District 4 has maintenance and construction responsibilities in Fulton County. Questions, concerns and comments should be directed to the Peoria office at (309) 671-3333.
- Municipalities are responsible for maintenance, construction, and drainage on streets within their municipal limits. There are 19 municipalities including cities, incorporated villages, and 1 town in Fulton County. The appropriate City Hall, Public Works Department, or Mayor’s or Village President’s office should be notified regarding road concerns.
- Fulton County is responsible for maintenance, construction, and drainage within the County’s Rights-of-Ways along county highways. The Department of Public Works and Highways is supervised by the County Engineer who is to provide sound engineering advice to the County Board, which is the governing body of Fulton County. The Department of Public Works & Highways should be contacted for roadway concerns at (309) 647-0351.
- Road Districts are responsible for maintenance, construction, and drainage for all other roads within the Township’s boundary. There are 26 Townships, each with their own Road District, in Fulton County. A Road District is managed by an elected Road Commissioner.
Q: I just bought some land and will be building a hunting cabin on it. What permits will I need?
A: If you will be putting in an entrance/driveway off of a county road, you will need to fill out a permit and submit it to the Fulton County Department of Public Works & Highways. The County Engineer will advise you as to the size of pipe needed and what type of surface is required on County Rights of Ways (ROW). Any fence to be erected in County ROW also needs a permit.
If you will be putting in an entrance/driveway off of a township, state, or federal road, or a municipal street, you will need to contact the proper jurisdiction to find out their requirements.
The Fulton County Zoning Department can advise you as to what building permits and standards for sanitary and water service are required. The Zoning Office can be reached at (309) 647-1134 ext. 235. Please note if you will be getting public water the water company/district may need to get a permit to run a line on public ROW to your location.
Q. What is the difference between a county road and any other road?
A. The different road systems in Illinois are divided up such that the State Routes are the major routes connecting larger cities and other major routes. A County Highway typically connects the smaller communities to a State Route, another Community, or another County Highway. The township roads are the rural, local, usually less traveled, roads that connect the residents to the other systems. Municipalities are responsible for all streets inside their municipal limits that are not a State or County Highway.
Q. Who should I notify about road hazards?
A. Often times hazardous conditions develop on public roads such as trees or limbs falling on the roadway, debris falling off of trucks, roads washed out during heavy rainfall, water on the road, etc. If a potentially hazardous condition exists on a road you should contact the Sheriff’s Department who will then notify the appropriate highway authority.
Q. What is done about dead animals on the road?
A. Dead animals on the roadway can often times be a hazard to the traveling public. If a large dead animal (a large dog, deer, etc.) is laying on the roadway or right-of-way please contact the appropriate highway authority that has jurisdiction of that road.
Q. Who maintains my driveway surface?
A. It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain the driveway surface.
