The Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting a series of statewide public meetings on its new five-year, $8.4 billion highway improvement plan.

The IDOT sessions begin Monday in Bourbonnais, followed by sessions in Champaign, Decatur, Peoria and 12 other locations through October. The department's first statewide public transportation plan will also be discussed at several of the sessions.

Written comments on the highway plan can be submitted at the meetings as well at the department's district offices and online through Nov. 16.

A complete list of the sessions can be found online at http://1.usa.gov/1wwfniG.