The association
About the association
The Illinois River Carriers Association is the trade organization of towboat and barge carriers operating the Illinois Waterway — the carriers, fleeting services, and terminals that move the grain, aggregates, and petroleum that move up and down the Illinois River System.
Our mission
Keep the waterway working
The association exists to keep the Illinois Waterway open, deep, and dependable. We circulate the navigational intelligence our members need to operate safely, we coordinate with lock operators and Corps districts on the policies that shape our future, and we carry one industry voice for open navigation.
Founded by companies in 1982 to proactively monitor and manage projects and policies that impact navigation on the Illinois River.
Safety first
Every bulletin, meeting, and policy position starts with the crews on the water.
One voice
Competitors on the river, partners at the table — infrastructure advocacy works only when the industry speaks together.
Operational truth
No spin, no marketing gloss. Numbers, mile marks, and what changed since the last notice.
Governance
Board of directors
The board is elected by the membership each January and sets the association's policy positions, budget, and bulletin standards.
President
MIke Blaske - Illinois Marine Towing
Vice President
Jeff Stoneking - Reliant Maritime Solutions
Secretary-Treasurer
Darren Melvin - Heidelberg Materials (Retired)
Directors at large
Vaughn McDaniel - Lebeouf Bros. Towing Kyle Rosenwald - Ingram Barge Company
Captain Committee Chair
Terry Bass - Blessey Marine Towing
The current officer roster and seat holders are published in the member bulletin. Contact the association office for the current roster.
Advocacy
What we fight for
The association's advocacy work runs year-round — testimony, correspondence, and seat time with the agencies that decide what your draft can be next season.
Channel depth and dredging
A standing 9-foot channel on the Illinois, with dredging priorities argued on the data the bulletin desk collects from member transits.
Lock maintenance and modernization
Funding schedules, closure windows, and queue policies for the LaGrange, Peoria, Starved Rock, Marseilles, Dresden Island, Brandon Road, and Lockport locks.
Water management
Drawdown schedules, winter pool levels, and drought contingencies negotiated with the Corps and state agencies before they hit your draft.
Infrastructure funding
Inland Waterways Trust Fund priorities and state capital plans that keep the system from losing ground to deferred maintenance.
