Driving Progress: KDOT’s Tom Rickert Earns Top Honors for Transforming Kane County Transportation
Along with the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) receiving top honors for Longmeadow Parkway from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter, Tom Rickert, KDOT’s Deputy Director and Chief of Staff, was recently awarded the 2025 APWA Professional Manager of the Year – Administrative Management. This prestigious recognition highlights his 37 years of leadership in Kane County, the Kane Kendall Council of Mayors as Executive Director, APWA, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), where he has served on numerous regional committees. Under Tom’s tenure, the county’s transportation system has expanded significantly to accommodate substantial population growth. His leadership, oversight, and dedication to improving services, processes, and programs have set a high standard for others to follow.
Many of Kane County’s transportation projects have been collaborative efforts, with Tom playing a key role in bringing together elected leaders to achieve win-win solutions. The Longmeadow Parkway Bridge Corridor, for instance, required coordination across three counties, ten municipalities, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and the Illinois Tollway—an effort that simply would not have been possible without strong regional cooperation. Tom has also been instrumental in the planning and development of municipal and regional projects beyond county jurisdiction. His contributions to the Red Gate Bridge, including planning, securing right-of-way, and obtaining funding, were critical to its success. As Kane County’s project manager for the Metra Union Pacific West Line extension to Elburn, he oversaw its development from planning to completion.
Tom’s impact extends across a wide range of initiatives, including bike and pedestrian projects, transit programs, and major roadway improvements. His efforts have shaped the Ride in Kane program, which serves 6,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities, and he has led advancements in safety protocols, access control regulations, and the development of the Randall and Orchard corridors. Among his many achievements, the award-winning Stearns Road Environmental Corridor stands out—not just as an infrastructure success, but as a model for balancing transportation needs with environmental stewardship.
