Driving Progress: KDOT's Steve Coffinbargar Retires After 37 Years in Public Service
After more than three decades in public service, including 20 years with the Kane County Division of Transportation, Steve Coffinbargar is retiring.
Coffinbargar, the County's Assistant Director of Transportation for Project Implementation, said his path into the profession began early, influenced by his father's career with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
“My dad worked for and retired from IDOT and steered me toward public service," Coffinbargar said. “I worked a handful of summers during high school and college at IDOT, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Secretary of State's office."
After graduating college, Coffinbargar joined IDOT in 1990, where he held several roles over 15 years, including engineering technician, technical manager and program management unit head. He joined Kane County in 2005 as Chief of Planning and Programming and was promoted in 2011 to oversee project implementation, including environmental studies, engineering, land acquisition and construction.
At his retirement, Coffinbargar will close out a 37-year career in public service.
During his time with Kane County, Coffinbargar helped advance several major infrastructure projects. He said their success came from strong teamwork despite complex designs, funding challenges and shifting environmental requirements.
“Every accomplishment involves a team effort, and I've been fortunate to work with an amazing group of individuals at KDOT," he said.
Those infrastructure projects include:
- $150 million Stearns Road Bridge Corridor
- Anderson Road Extension and Grade Separation
- $200 million Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor (toll free)
- I-90 at Route 47 interchange expansion
- Orchard Road widening from Jericho Road to U.S. 30
- Dauberman Road Extension and Grade Separation
- Construction of four roundabouts
- Maintaining and updating KDOT's qualifications-based consultant selection process, which includes 117 consulting firms
Coffinbargar also received several professional honors during his career, including the American Public Works Association Professional Manager of the Year award in 2024 and the National Association of County Engineers Project/Program Manager of the Year award in 2025.
Over the years, he has witnessed significant changes in the transportation field, particularly with the evolution of technology.
“I'm old enough to remember the introduction of computers into our workspace," he said. “At first, we had to do everything on paper and then duplicate it on the computer. We even had to share computers throughout the day."
He recalled applying to Kane County using a dial-up internet connection, which made submitting documents a challenge due to file size limitations.
“They still make fun of me about that," he said.
Since then, Coffinbargar said, the County's transportation system has grown and modernized significantly. The highway network has been expanded and maintained while incorporating best management practices, multi-modal transportation options and environmental enhancements.
Again, Coffinbargar, credits the County's staff for its continued success.
“We have an amazing team of maintenance and professional staff that are dedicated to being transportation leaders in northeastern Illinois," he said.
Among those leaders, is Jennifer O'Connelll. KDOT recently announced the promotion of O’Connell to Assistant Director of Transportation – Project Implementation/Assistant County Engineer. O’Connell has been with the Kane County Division of Transportation since March 2014, serving first as a Project Manager and most recently as Chief of Design. She has played a key role in several major infrastructure efforts, including leading the design phase for the realignments of Bliss Road, Main Street, and Fabyan Parkway. She is currently overseeing the Kirk Road bridge reconstruction over the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the Randall Road and Hopps Road intersection realignment and grade separation.
Looking towards retirement Coffinbargar also reflected on a personal decision early in his career that shaped his life beyond work when he accepted the position with IDOT, in part to move closer to his then-girlfriend in the Chicago area. The choice proved to be a lasting one.
“Fortunately, I made the right decision," he said. “Karen has been my wife for 36 years, and we have two wonderful kids."
Looking ahead, he plans to spend more time traveling, fishing, biking and woodworking, as well as golfing and playing pickleball. He also hopes to spend time behind the wheel of a vintage car he recently purchased.
“You'll likely see me at vintage car shows," he said, “So literally, I'm driving off into the sunset."
Learn more about the programs and projects at the Kane County Division of Transportation at https://kdot.kanecountyil.gov/Pages/Default.aspx
