Dear Readers,
In March, I was elected by the IACT Board to serve as Chair for the next biennium. I am honored by the opportunity and energized by the work ahead as we continue advancing IACT’s vision.
I am a lifelong Illinois resident, born and raised in the Quad Cities along the Mississippi River before moving to central Illinois 40 years ago. For the past 20 years, I have lived in rural Menard County, where I have come to appreciate how agriculture not only feeds the world, but also helps fuel our travel options and strengthen our economy.
I have had the privilege of serving Illinoisans through a 28-year career in state government, culminating in my role as Secretary of Transportation. Since retiring nearly 12 years ago, I have continued working as a transportation policy consultant, serving clients across Illinois and the Midwest. Those experiences have allowed me to see firsthand the diversity of our state, from the Chicago region to the Metro East, from the Shawnee National Forest to the communities that anchor our river corridors and agricultural heartland. I have worked in Rockford, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Bloomington, Springfield, Carbondale, Paris (IL), Marion and many places in between. These travels have also deepened my appreciation for the people, industries, and transportation needs that make Illinois unique.
I bring that perspective to this role with a commitment to helping make Illinois an even better place to live and work, with cleaner air and sustainable, reliable fuel options that reflect the wide range of needs and preferences across our state.
At IACT, we are fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors whose insight and leadership help guide our work. Together, we are focused on informing and connecting stakeholders and members so they can make the best choices for their fleets and vehicles based on their own operational needs. We understand that one size does not fit all, and that meaningful progress depends on having practical options. That is why IACT remains alternative-fuel agnostic: we support the solutions that work best for each unique situation.
Over the next year, each of our Board members will be invited to contribute a guest editorial to Greenline so readers can get to know them and learn more about their commitment to IACT. That effort reflects an important goal for the organization: building stronger connections with the members, partners, and stakeholders we serve.
We also have an exciting year ahead. On May 14, we will gather in Wheaton for the Green Drives Conference and Expo, where attendees will find new content, valuable discussion, and a strong lineup of alternative-fuel vehicles and technologies to experience. The event is expected to feature an autonomous vehicle, a B100 semi-tractor, electric vehicles, and vehicles powered by propane and natural gas. For anyone who has not yet registered, there is still time to do so.
Another important initiative is the Great River Road Collaboration with nine other states along the Mississippi River. In Illinois, IACT has mapped the 557-mile corridor, identified existing alternative fueling locations, and highlighted areas where additional access is needed. The next phase of this work will involve partnering with community-based organizations to expand awareness of available fuel choices and help residents better understand their transportation options.
Later this year, IACT hopes to host a one-day working session for freight fleets, featuring a policy update in the morning and hands-on training and networking in the afternoon. The organization is also developing webinars to share the latest information on charging and alternative fueling. Input from stakeholders, members, and potential partners will be essential in shaping those efforts and ensuring that future programming delivers practical value. To that end, we hope to hear from you.
In future issues of Greenline, readers will also see highlights of emerging technologies and innovations that align with IACT’s mission. The newsletter will begin featuring more original content, including research-driven pieces on topics that matter most to the field. A new Featured Fleet series is also planned to showcase case studies from fleet managers and owners who have successfully navigated the transition to more sustainable and predictable fuel choices. You can subscribe to Greenline newsletter here.
There is a great deal to look forward to in the year ahead. Thank you for being part of IACT’s work and for the many ways you support cleaner, smarter transportation choices across Illinois.
All my best,
Ann Schneider
Chair, Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation
Dr. Ann Schneider became IACT’s chair in 2026, bringing 36 years of professional experience in public finance, public policy, and solutions development and 18 years of executive-level transportation policy experience to the role. Now a transportation policy consultant, Dr. Schneider has helped clients secure nearly $357 million in grant funding.