What's Adopt A Highway? 

The McHenry County Adopt A Highway Program is a volunteer effort to eliminate litter along sections of County Roads. The Adopt A Highway Program started in McHenry County in 1995. Our goal is to have all roads adopted.  Volunteer groups adopt a one-half mile to two mile section of highway for a two year period. A minimum of four trash collections are required per year.

Why Adopt A Highway?

• Your organization can gain recognition from thousands of potential customers or new members driving by your sign every day on McHenry County’s busiest highways 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Visitors and residents will see your organization’s name supporting an important environmental issue.
• Provides a clean environment, gives civic pride to the community, serves as a reminder not to litter and saves tax-payers money.
• Receive badges or credit for volunteering from your scouting, school, church or other civic group!

Where Can I Adopt A Highway?

Adopt A Highway Interactive Map
Available Sections [PDF]

The McHenry County Adopt A Highway Viewer is an interactive map that provides residents the ability to view information on the volunteer litter pick-up program covering the counties approximately 213 miles of highway. For more information please contact the McHenry County Division of Transportation Adopt A Highway Coordinator at adoptahighway@McHenryCountyIL.gov

Who Can Adopt A Highway? 

Basically anyone! Big or small it doesn't matter the group size, as long as you and your group members have the drive to clean up roadside litter. Here are some examples of the types of groups within our adopt a highway program:  

• Civic groups
• Clubs
• Colleagues
• Friends and families
• Neighbors
• Organizations
• Sororities and fraternities
• Religious groups  

1.  Explore our interactive map to find an available section of highway.
   
   Whether it is a route that you travel frequently or a scenic stretch that you have always admired, there is always a spot waiting for you. Once you have found your ideal section, make sure to take note of its availability, section ID, road name, and the routes before and after it.
    
2.  Apply and await approval from the Transportation Committee and County Board

   All applications must be approved by our Transportation Committee and County Board before proceeding to the next step of the application process. Following the successful passage, we will send you an additional form to fill out.

3. Train your team and request supplies

   Before any adopt a highway group hits the streets, we require the group coordinator of the team to go over the training video with their team.

4. Gear Up & Get Going!

   We'll be providing you with equipment to keep your county highway section looking beautiful! Your initial supply order will include the following: garbage pickers, a clean-up kit (orange bags for garbage and clear for recyclables), hi-vis vests, Adopt-a-Highway T-shirts, and a set of roll-up flags that read "Clean Up Crew Working".

5. Make a Commitment to Clean
   
   Adopt a highway, maintain it for two years, with a minimum of four clean-ups per year, including mandatory ones in April and October. Personalized signage will showcase your dedication to a beautiful McHenry County.
   
   

How Much Does it Cost?

Nothing. Nada. Zilch. $0.00  

How Do I apply? 

Please submit all Adopt A Highway applications, correspondence, and requests to AdoptAHighway@mchenrycountyil.gov. Applications cannot be completed within the online browser and require Adobe® Reader. Please follow the instructions below:

1. Save the form (PDF File) on your hard drive, and work on the saved document. If you need to fill out more than one form, make copies and assign a different file name to each form.
2. If you do not have Adobe® Reader on your computer, you can download it at: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
3. Save the completed form and email it to AdoptAHighway@mchenrycountyil.gov 

Adopt A Highway Documents and Media

• Adopt A Highway Brochure [PDF]
• Adopt A Highway Application Form [PDF]
• Adopt A Highway Renewal Form [PDF]
• Adopt A Highway Box Content and Flag Instructions [PDF]
• 2016 Volunteer Appreciation [PDF]
• Adopt A Highway Terms and Conditions [PDF]

Any sign you see like above with "YOUR GROUP NAME HERE" is available for adoption.

For more information about the Adopt A Highway Program or questions feel free to contact:
adoptahighway@mchenrycountyil.gov
Phone number: (815) 334-4970

Adopt A Highway Training Video