SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) – The Illinois Department of Transportation wants drivers in the state to think twice before throwing trashing out their vehicle window.
I-DOT spokesman Paul Wappel said littering is not only bad for the environment, it’s also costly for the taxpayers.
“We’re asking the public to please to their part and properly dispose of trash. It’ll save taxpayers millions of dollars in unnecessary costs. Last year, I-DOT spent about $6 million picking up litter throughout the state of Illinois.”
Wappel adds littering is against state law and people caught littering could face hefty fines.
“If you throw anything – a water bottle, a piece of trash, a piece of paper – you could be subject to a fine possibly up to $1,500. You also might have to maintain litter control for 30 days over a portion of that highway as well.”