Voting Begins for 2020 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – Beginning October 28, through Monday, November 4, the public can go online and vote for their favorite entry in the 2020 Illinois Tollway Map Cover Art Contest sponsored by the Tollway, Blick Art Materials and MB Real Estate Services. The top 10 semifinalist entries in the student art contest can be viewed on the

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.

“The artwork students submitted for this year’s contest truly reflects the respect and admiration students have for state troopers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We appreciate the students’ efforts to illustrate these heroic men and women and to remember those troopers who have sacrificed so much in service to the people of Illinois.”

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.

Members of the general public are invited to go online to the Illinois Tollway’s website art contest page to view the semifinalists’ artwork and learn how to vote for their favorite entry on Facebook.

2020 Tollway Map Art Contest Semifinalists

Yuki Chen, Sandwich High School

Paige Cook, Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort

Jenna Davis, Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox

Syrena Feustel, Bolingbrook High School

Aya Hazama, Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park

Spencer Kick, The Chicago Academy for the Arts

Courtney Kurtz, Lincoln-Way West High School in New Lenox

Colby O'Dell, Plainfield East High School

Haley Ramos, Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox

Katelyn Wong, Plainfield East High School

“Blick Art Materials is delighted to again be partnering with the Illinois Tollway and MB Real Estate Services to provide young artists the opportunity to create artwork that honors the service and sacrifice of the Illinois State Police,” said Chief Executive Bob Buchsbaum. “We look forward to the outcome of the vote and seeing the winning entry displayed on the cover of the Tollway’s 2020 system map.”

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 approximately 75,000 customers. The grand prize winner and three runners-up will be featured in the Tollway’s annual report. Awards include:

“MB Real Estate is proud to support the work of this year’s talented semifinalists whose artwork illustrates the important work of the Illinois State Police,” said MBRE Operations Manager Steve Merical. “Congratulations and good luck to all of our participants.”

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, 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.

About Blick Art Materials

Founded in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1911, Blick Art Materials is one of the largest and oldest providers of art supplies in the United States, with 66 retail stores nationwide. Its products cater to the full spectrum of artists – from the youngest child ready to scribble with his or her first crayon to well-known, gallery-represented professionals. The company’s extensive selection, competitive prices and superior customer service make Blick the best choice for art educators, students, artists, architects, designers, hobbyists or anyone requiring quality art materials for work or pleasure. A long-time advocate of art education in the U.S., Blick also provides support of scholastic, collegiate and professional art shows, both financially and through a variety of materials that emphasize the benefits of art education. Blick also supports the communities in which it does business by sponsoring in-store events, local schools, art leagues and community groups across the country. Visit dickblick.com for more information.

About MB Real Estate Services Inc.

Founded in 1982, MB Real Estate is a full-service real estate organization that provides multifaceted expertise in Asset/Facilities Management; Leasing Services; Project/Construction Management; Tenant Representation and Investment Services. Additionally, MBRE Healthcare provides comprehensive real estate solutions for hospitals, health systems and physicians throughout the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, with regional offices in New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas and Denver, MB Real Estate provides these services to corporations, institutions, professional organizations, private investors and non-profit agencies. For more information, please visit mbres.com.

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.