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The Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Greater Chicago Chapter has named Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider and Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur “Women of the Year.”

The award recognizes Schneider and Lafleur “for their leadership and outstanding contributions” to the Chicago-area transportation industry, as well as their contributions to the advancement of women and minorities through programs or opportunities in transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation officials said in a prepared statement.

Both women “truly exemplify WTS’s mission of transforming transportation through the advancement of women, especially women in the state of Illinois,” said WTS Greater Chicago Chapter President Melissa Thomson.

Schneider and Lafleur will receive their awards in spring. As winners of the chapter’s awards, they automatically are nominated for the WTS International award.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn offered congratulations to both women for their “outstanding work at improving transportation and supporting programs that promote economic development” in Illinois.

“Their efforts and this recognition will help encourage more women to enter the transportation industry,” he said in a prepared statement.