SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KMOX) - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) says it spent $6.1 million last year to pick up litter.
With the arrival of spring, the agency is reminding drivers to be on the lookout for crews picking up litter and asking the public to do its part by properly disposing trash and saving taxpayers millions of dollars a year in unnecessary costs.
IDOT says before you throw trash out of your car window, remember that the money spent on cleanup crews is the equivalent of resurfacing 30 miles of road or purchasing 40 new maintenance trucks that also plow snow in winter.
And also, it's illegal to litter. Those caught are subject to a fine of up to $1,500 and may be required to maintain litter control for 30 days over a portion of that highway as well.
If you encounter maintenance vehicles and workers in litter pickup operations, slow down, move over and give them space – it’s the law.
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