Peoria Standard

U.S. Representative Darin LaHood has extended his congratulations to Illinois Secretary of Transportation Omer Osman on the occasion of his retirement. LaHood made this announcement in a Facebook post dated December 19.

"This morning, I spoke on the House floor to recognize my friend, Omer Osman, and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement," said Darin M Lahood, according to Facebook. "Omer has truly lived the American Dream, working his way up the ranks to become Illinois' 13th Secretary of Transportation. I am grateful for the leadership he displayed during his tenure and wish him and his family nothing but the best!"

In the post, LaHood shared a video of a speech he delivered on December 19, highlighting Osman's career achievements as the Illinois Secretary of Transportation. "Omer Osman, Secretary of the Illinois State Department of Transportation. Omer comes from the country of Sudan, the fourth of 11 children. He learned English by watching American westerns and soap operas on television. He moved to the US for college as a young man, graduating from Southern University, where he studied civil engineering before beginning a career in Peoria Illinois," said LaHood on the House Floor.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's Dec. 19 Facebook post. | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood Facebook page

LaHood further detailed Osman's professional journey: "Osman began at IDOT, the Illinois Department of Transportation as a civil engineer in 1989, and worked his way up the ranks, becoming Illinois’ 13th Secretary of Transportation in 2019. He was the first person of color to be confirmed in 2021. Along the way, he became a graduate of Bradley University, in my district, where he graduated with a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1995. In his role as Transportation secretary, Omer oversaw over 80 airports, an expansive water infrastructure system, 300,000 miles of roads and bridges, the railroad that transports 25% of the country’s freight that passes through Illinois," said LaHood.

According to NPR Illinois' report on December 11 regarding Osman's retirement, some details align with those mentioned by LaHood. In an interview with WCBU Peoria Public Radio, Osman expressed pride in his accomplishments during his tenure as Secretary of Transportation for Illinois. "I am extremely proud of our accomplishments, including keeping projects on track during a global pandemic. I look forward to seeing new exciting ideas and projects under the new secretary and the top-notch IDOT staff," Osman said.

The outlet also reported that Gia Biagi will assume leadership at the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Congressman Darin LaHood has been representing Illinois since 2015. Initially serving in the state's 18th Congressional District until redistricting shifted him to represent the 16th District from 2023 onwards. His political career includes four years in the state senate from 2011-2015 and more than nine years as a state and federal prosecutor with experience at the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada.