About Our Truck Driving Company
Brakebush has been a family-owned carrier since 1925, delivering poultry products nationwide. We invest in our people, not shareholders, passing savings and perks on to our drivers. From performance bonuses to full-service maintenance shops, we provide the tools and support our OTR drivers need to succeed.
Whether you're new to reefer work or seeking a better driving job in Illinois, Brakebush offers the reliability, respect and routes to help you move forward. Apply today or contact us with questions!
Additional Reasons to Drive for Brakebush
- Private fleet with newer, well-maintained trucks
- Driver-friendly amenities including sleeper cabs, inverters, scale & toll bypass and more
- Regular home time of at least 34 hours
- Rider and pet policies
- Supportive dispatch and logistics staff
- & more!
Brakebush is accepting applications from drivers in all Illinois counties including:
Cook County | DuPage County | Lake County | Will County | Kane County | McHenry County | Winnebago County | Madison County
Pay Rate:
- Base Rate: $.60 per Practical Mile
- Team Base Rate: $.33 per Practical Mile
- Plus Performance Incentive: $.05 per Practical Mile
- Plus Per Diem: $.05 per Practical Mile
- East Coast Premium: $.10 per Practical Mile
- Team East Coast Premium: $.05 per Practical Mile
- Paid Weekly
+ To qualify with Brakebush Transportation, you must:
- Be 23 years or older
- Have 2 years of verifiable OTR experience
- Meet all DOT requirements and qualifications
+ Bonuses:
- Detention Pay: $15/hr after 2 hours
- Layover Pay: $15/hr, max $165/day
- Quarterly Safety Bonus: up to $.01 per Practical Mile
- Quarterly Fuel Bonus: top performers often earn $500+
- PC Miles Bonus: up to $.01 per Practical Mile
- Annual Safety Bonus: After 250,000 safe miles, earn $.001 per mile on all career miles driven safely
NEW Progressive Stop Pay Schedule:
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Benefits:
Brakebush received National Health Care Award for 2019 by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
Health Insurance Health Saving plan & FLEX plan available
Life Insurance Basic term - company will provide coverage of $25,000 with option to purchase more
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
DOT Physical Reimbursement
Wellness Center for employees and family on medical plan
Paid Benefit Time (Vacation/Sick Days) 0 - 2 years: 13 days/yr
2 - 10 years: 18 days/yr
10 - 18 years: 23 days/yr
18+ years: 28 days/yr
401k - Company match
Holiday Pay Ten paid holidays per calendar year
Optional add-ons: Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
Short Term Disability & Illness Plan
Long Term Disability & Illness Plan
Illinois Trucking Facts
Drivers in Illinois gain more than access to major freight lanes. A trucking career with Brakebush includes high mileage earning potential, quarterly bonuses and 401k matching. With updated equipment and full benefit coverage, Brakebush CDL jobs in Illinois offer everything needed to drive forward with confidence.
- $83,351 average Illinois truck driver salary (2025)
- +10% projected job growth of Illinois heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (2020-2030)
- 85,670 estimated heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (2023)
Note: Metrics from Indeed and O*NET OnLine update frequently.
Driving Distance to our Nearest HQ for Reefer Trucking Careers in IL
| Reefer driving jobs (starting location) | Distance to our closest HQ (Wisconsin) | Driving distance in hours |
| Chicago | 197 miles | 3 hours |
| Aurora | 197 miles | 2.6 hours |
| Naperville | 197 miles | 3 hours |
| Joliet | 212 miles | 3.1 hours |
| Rockford | 123 miles | 1.9 hours |
| Springfield | 316 miles | 4.6 hours |
| Elgin | 161 miles | 2.1 hours |
| Peoria | 251 miles | 3.9 hours |
| Champaign | 301 miles | 4.1 hours |
| Waukegan | 175 miles | 2.5 hours |
| Cicero | 198 miles | 3 hours |
| Bloomington | 248 miles | 3.6 hours |
| Arlington Heights | 176 miles | 2.5 hours |
| Bolingbrook | 202 miles | 2.9 hours |
| Evanston | 194 miles | 3 hours |
| Schaumburg | 171 miles | 2.5 hours |
| Decatur | 296 miles | 4.4 hours |
| Palatine | 175 miles | 2.5 hours |
| Skokie | 199 miles | 2.9 hours |
| Des Plaines | 184 miles | 2.6 hours |
OTR Jobs for Illinois Truck Drivers
Illinois drivers with OTR experience can earn premium pay while covering consistent freight lanes. Most Brakebush over-the-road drivers travel between 24 and 27 days per month and we coordinate consistent time off at home. From East Coast premiums to fuel and safety bonuses, we offer plenty of ways to boost your paycheck.
Solo Truck Driving Jobs In Illinois
Solo drivers can build a rewarding career with Brakebush. We support independent drivers with competitive pay, regular home time and a fully equipped fleet. If you're ready for a solo CDL job in Illinois with growth potential, apply with Brakebush online today.
Team Driving Jobs
Brakebush team truck driving jobs in Illinois offer dependable miles and reliable pay. Whether you’re part of a husband-and-wife trucking team or looking for a new driving partner, our team program rewards you for every mile. Pay starts at $.33 per practical mile with an additional $.05 East Coast premium.
More Perks for Brakebush Drivers
Brakebush drivers benefit from more than just standard coverage. Access tuition reimbursement, scholarships for your children and personal support services like financial planning, legal guidance and counseling. Employees also enjoy discounts at the Brakebush Outlet Store and drive with comfort features like satellite radio, refrigerators, microwaves and inverters
Trucking Jobs for Military Veterans
Searching for a rewarding career on the road? Brakebush is honored to employ veterans from across the country. Apply online to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions on Illinois Trucking Jobs
How much does a trucker make in Illinois?
Truck drivers in Illinois make on average $83,351 per year, according to Indeed.
How long does a CDL last in Illinois?
A CDL lasts for 4 years in Illinois.
What makes Brakebush CDL jobs in Illinois different?
Brakebush drivers in Illinois benefit from a family-owned carrier with no shareholder pressure. Drivers earn high weekly pay, run reliable routes in late-model trucks and receive bonuses, paid holidays and flexible solo or team options.
Truck Driving Applicant FAQs
Have a hiring-related question? Check out a few commonly asked questions below. View our full applicant FAQs list by clicking All Driver Applicant FAQs.
Are You Hiring?
We have a terminal in Westfield, WI, Thomasville, NC, and a yard in Charleston, MO. We also operate 18 trucks out of Irving, TX. We accept applications for all of those locations when we have an opening. Drivers do not necessarily have to live in those areas, but the truck is serviced in those areas.
How Much Can I Expect to Earn?
The average earnings for our truck drivers in 2024 was about $100,229 with several drivers earning over $130,000.
What Routes Will I Drive?
We do not have dedicated routes. Our dispatch is based on customer demand. Drivers do fall into a pattern where they go to the same customers and usually leave and return on the same days each week. It can vary by location and we like applicants to talk to someone in operation at the location they are applying for.