JOLIET  --  Alicia C. Hanlon has been named Will County’s Senior Transportation Planner by Will County Executive Larry Walsh.

     She began her duties July 9.

     “We’re happy to add Alicia to our staff,” said Walsh. “She has an extensive background in area transportation needs, including the proposed South Suburban Airport, Illiana and the southern extension of I-355.”

     Most recently, Hanlon was a sub-consultant to CDM Smith on the Will County Inland Port Infrastructure Analysis. Prior to that she had been Transportation Coordinator for the Will County Center for Economic Development for two years and had also been the Planning Liaison with the Will County Governmental League and administrator for the Eastern Will County Regional Planning Council. She also serves on the Frankfort Plan Commission.

     Hanlon has a master’s degree in community planning from the University of Cincinnati. She developed an early interest in transportation planning from a study abroad experience in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Ohio native’s first job after moving to the Chicago area was with the Chicago Area Transportation Study, now known as the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. 

     While at the Will County CED, she was project manager for the Inland Port Impact Study and the Global Logistics Summit. She also participated in the I-355 and IL 53 Corridor Planning Groups led by Will County Land Use and coordinated with Joliet Arsenal Development Association to establish a Transportation Management Association for southwest Will County.  In addition, she helped with CED efforts to raise the profile of Will County’s priorities in state and federal transportation policy.

     “My previous work has allowed me to build relationships with many of the current transportation stakeholders in Will County from both the public and private sectors,” she said. 

     “As a Will County resident who has worked for multiple local planning agencies, I am invested in helping make Will County a great place to live and work.  As a transportation planning professional, I understand the unique value of Will County’s multi-modal transportation system -- from the county highway system to Metra lines to the intermodal terminals - to our residents and businesses,” Hanlon said.

     “I hope to be able to enhance coordination among county departments and with other jurisdictions in order to improve mobility for a growing population and support employment opportunities locally. I look forward to working with county officials to prioritize transportation needs and am eager to assist the County Executive and County Board with implementing important transportation initiatives.”

     Hanlon and her husband, John, live in Frankfort. They have three children, Zach, Luke and Natalie.