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High-Paying OTR Reefer Trucking Jobs in Illinois Join a Military Supporting Trucking Company

Brakebush Transportation offers high-paying reefer trucking jobs in Illinois for experienced CDL-A drivers seeking competitive earnings and long-term career opportunities. Our family-owned company provides solo and team OTR driving positions transporting refrigerated freight across the country. Drivers benefit from modern trucks equipped with satellite radio, HD TV, microwaves, APUs and other amenities designed for comfort during extended trips.

 

With a strong commitment to safety, driver satisfaction and dependable compensation, Brakebush provides Illinois truck drivers with more than a paycheck. Many of our OTR reefer drivers average $100,000 annually, with additional earning opportunities through performance incentives and bonuses. Explore our available trucking jobs in Illinois and apply online to join our team.

Apply for CDL-A reefer, solo or team driving jobs in Illinois. Join a trusted company offering reliable miles, strong pay and real support. Experienced CDL-A licensed drivers with excellent driving records are encouraged to apply.

Reefer Trucking Jobs Illinois

Illinois CDL-A Reefer Driver Pay & Benefits

  • Top drivers average around $1,920/week
  • $1,730 - $2,500 a Week
  • Refer a Driver and Get $.01 Cent Per Mile Driven by That Referred Driver
  • 90%+ Driver Retention
  • 13 Sick/Vacation Days Upon Hiring and 10 Annual Paid Holidays 
  • Minimum 34 Hours at Home per Week
  • Tuition Reimbursement For Approved Coursework
  • Technical School Scholarship Opportunities for Children of Employees

A Family-Owned Trucking Company with 100 Years of Experience

Brakebush has been family-owned since 1925, building a nationwide transportation network for poultry products and refrigerated freight. Rather than answering to outside shareholders, we focus on investing in our drivers through competitive pay, generous benefits and modern equipment. Our private fleet is backed by dedicated logistics personnel and full-service maintenance facilities, providing professional CDL-A drivers with the resources needed for long-haul transportation.

 

Whether you're an experienced reefer driver or transitioning from another type of OTR trucking, Brakebush offers opportunities to build a stable career with a company known for putting its drivers first. Apply online or contact us to learn more about joining our fleet.

 

OTR Reefer Driving Opportunities for Illinois CDL-A Drivers

Illinois is a convenient home base for experienced CDL-A drivers interested in refrigerated trucking jobs across the Midwest and beyond. Brakebush welcomes qualified applicants from Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign and surrounding communities without requiring relocation. Drivers can access interstate freight routes connecting major transportation markets throughout the region.

 

Our Westfield, Wisconsin location provides a nearby connection to Brakebush's transportation and maintenance network, while additional company facilities in North Carolina serve our broader operations. With routes and schedules coordinated around freight movement, dispatch needs and driver locations, Illinois truckers can pursue long-haul refrigerated driving careers while continuing to live in their home state.

 

Who We Hire in Illinois

Brakebush hires experienced CDL-A drivers throughout Illinois for solo and team OTR reefer trucking jobs. We welcome established driving partners, husband-and-wife teams and military veterans transitioning into civilian trucking careers. Applicants must have at least 2 years of verifiable OTR experience and a strong commitment to safe driving.

 

Additional Perks for Illinois Truck Drivers

  • 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 36 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

Compensation Details:

  • Base Rate: $.60 per Practical Mile
  • Team Base Rate: $.33 per Practical Mile
  • Plus Performance Incentive: $.07 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

 

+ Job Requirements:

  • Be 23 years or older
  • Have 2 years of verifiable OTR experience
  • Meet all DOT requirements and qualifications
  • Have a valid Class A CDL

+ Additional Pay & Incentives:

  • 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

 

Stop Pay Structure:

  • 1st Stop Single - $30
  • 1st Stop Team - $15
  • 2nd Stop Single - $50
  • 2nd Stop Team - $25
  • 3rd Stop Single - $100
  • 3rd Stop Team - $50
  • 4th Stop & Additional Single - $150
  • 4th Stop & Additional Team - $75
Apply Online!

Drivers Benefits

Brakebush received National Health Care Award for 2019 by the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions

  • Health Insurance 
  • Life & AD&D Insurance 
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Optional Accident Insurance
  • Optional Critical Illness Insurance
  • Wellness Center 
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Legal & Financial Assistance
  • Chaplain Services
  • 401K - Company Match
  • Paid Benefit Time (Vacation/Sick Days) 
  • Holiday Pay 
  • Driver Referral Program
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Scholarship Programs
  • Brakebush Outlet Store Discount

What our drivers love about

“Everybody’s cool here. The shop is great. A lot of the office used to drive, so there are no problems there. You don’t run into people who know nothing about it.”

BrianTruck 64

“Just an awesome company to work for. You get great benefits and awesome people to work with.”

DaleTruck 82

“From everyone in the shop to everyone in the office—everybody is easy to deal with. If you ever have a question, everyone’s right on top of it.”

JasonTruck 91

View All Testimonials

Brakebush Transportation vs. Average Illinois Truck Driver Earnings

Experienced CDL-A drivers in Illinois can earn significantly more with Brakebush Transportation than the statewide trucking average. Our OTR reefer driving jobs offer strong annual earnings, quarterly bonuses, premium mileage pay and comprehensive benefits, including 401(k) matching. Compare our compensation, home-time policies and equipment amenities with typical trucking opportunities across Illinois.

BRAKEBUSH TRANSPORTATION vs. ILLINOIS AVERAGES

 

IllinoisAvg. Truck Driver*

BrakebushOTR Reefer Driver

Annual Earnings

Statewide average:$62,430

Many drivers average $100,000+ annually

Weekly Pay Potential

Varies by employer

$1,730 - $2,500+ per week

Additional Pay

Employer dependent

Bonuses, east coast premium, safety, fuel mileage & PC bonuses

Benefits

Varies

Health, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, paid holidays & more

Home Time

Varies

Minimum 34 hrs. home weekly

Equipment & Support

Varies

APU, sleeper cab, HD TV, SiriusXM, 24/7 driver support

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers. External labor and compensation metrics update periodically. Individual results may vary.

Hiring CDL-A Reefer Truck Drivers Throughout Illinois

Brakebush Transportation recruits qualified CDL-A drivers throughout Illinois for OTR refrigerated trucking positions. You can continue living in Illinois while pursuing opportunities with our nationwide private fleet. Our closest terminal for many Illinois drivers is in Westfield, Wisconsin. Distances and drive times are approximate.

Distance to Closest Brakebush Terminal from Major Illinois Markets

  • 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

More Illinois Communities We Hire From

  • Champaign
  • Waukegan
  • Cicero
  • Bloomington
  • Arlington Heights
  • Bolingbrook
  • Evanston
  • Schaumburg
  • Decatur
  • Palatine
  • Skokie
  • Des Plaines
  • And more…

Don’t see your city? Brakebush accepts applications from experienced CDL-A drivers across Illinois. Apply online to explore our available OTR reefer trucking jobs.

Apply Online!

Illinois over the road jobs from Brakebush Transportation

OTR Reefer Trucking Jobs in Illinois

Put your over-the-road driving experience to work with Brakebush Transportation. Our Illinois OTR reefer jobs offer opportunities to transport temperature-controlled freight across interstate routes while earning competitive mileage pay. Drivers typically spend 24–27 days on the road each month, with regular time at home coordinated around freight schedules and dispatch requirements. Brakebush rewards experienced CDL-A drivers with a base rate of $0.60 per practical mile, additional East Coast premiums and quarterly safety and fuel mileage bonuses.

 

Solo Reefer Truck Driving Jobs in Illinois

Take the wheel of your career with a solo reefer trucking job at Brakebush Transportation. Experienced Illinois CDL-A drivers can enjoy the independence of over-the-road driving while benefiting from competitive compensation, company-maintained equipment and dependable logistics assistance. Our refrigerated trucking positions offer opportunities to travel across major freight corridors without relocating from Illinois. Solo drivers earn a base rate of $0.60 per practical mile, with additional opportunities for performance bonuses, premium mileage pay and stop compensation.

Team Reefer Truck Driving Jobs in Illinois

Brakebush Transportation offers OTR reefer team driving jobs for experienced Illinois CDL-A drivers interested in earning competitive pay while traveling with a trusted partner. We welcome established professional driving teams and husband-and-wife truck drivers looking for long-haul refrigerated freight opportunities.

 

Illinois team drivers earn a base rate of $0.33 per practical mile, with an additional $0.05 East Coast premium per practical mile on qualifying routes. Along with performance incentives, referral bonuses and comprehensive benefits, our team driving positions offer access to modern equipment and a supportive company culture. Apply online to explore opportunities for experienced reefer driving teams.

 

Employee Benefits & Equipment Perks for Brakebush Drivers

Brakebush Transportation invests in driver satisfaction beyond standard pay and health coverage. Employees have access to tuition reimbursement, technical school scholarship opportunities for their children and personal assistance services covering financial planning, legal guidance and counseling. Additional perks include discounts at the Brakebush Outlet Store and modern trucking equipment with satellite radio, refrigerators, microwaves and inverters. Our driver-focused amenities and long-term employment benefits make Brakebush an attractive choice for Illinois CDL-A drivers seeking a rewarding OTR career.

Team driving jobs from Brakebush

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.

Apply Now

Zero-Cost Maintenance, Maximum Uptime

Brakebush invests in your success with two company-owned maintenance facilities. This program eliminates downtime and keeps you earning, with all service and repairs handled at no cost to you.

  • No Out-of-Pocket ExpensesAll maintenance, service and repairs are paid for by Brakebush.
  • Priority In-House ServiceGet back on the road faster with expert technicians at our dedicated shops in Wisconsin and North Carolina.
  • Proven Commitment to SafetyProactive maintenance keeps equipment reliable, contributing to an industry-leading DOT accident rate of 0.33 per million miles.

Frequently Asked Questions on Truck Driving Jobs in Illinois

 

What CDL license is required for Illinois reefer trucking jobs?

Brakebush Transportation requires Illinois drivers to hold a valid Class A commercial driver's license (CDL-A). Applicants must also meet federal DOT regulations, Illinois licensing requirements and company qualification standards to operate our refrigerated trucks.

Does Brakebush offer OTR or local trucking jobs in Illinois?

Brakebush hires Illinois drivers for over-the-road refrigerated trucking jobs rather than local delivery routes. Our CDL-A drivers transport temperature-controlled freight across interstate lanes, including major Midwest transportation markets.

How much do truck drivers make in Illinois?

Truck drivers in Illinois earn an average of $85,433 per year. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, mileage, endorsements and route type. Many Brakebush Transportation OTR reefer drivers average $100,000 or more annually, with opportunities to earn additional premium pay and bonuses.

Does Brakebush hire solo and team truck drivers in Illinois?

Yes. Brakebush offers solo CDL-A driving positions and team reefer trucking jobs for experienced Illinois drivers. Established driving partners and husband-and-wife teams are encouraged to apply for our long-haul refrigerated freight opportunities.

What experience is required for Brakebush Illinois CDL-A trucking jobs?

Applicants must have at least 2 years of verifiable OTR driving experience, a valid CDL-A license and a dependable safety record. Drivers must also meet applicable DOT requirements and Brakebush Transportation's employment qualifications.

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.

All Driver Applicant FAQs