Posted on 04/04/2018 8:16:52 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Officials and visitors assembled for an Illinois tollway board meeting Thursday morning were out in record time.
That wasn't because of a light agenda. Rather, the absence of board directors meant the agency didn't have enough for a quorum.
Six directors are required, and only four were there at 9 a.m. when the meeting was supposed to start. Board members present were Chairman Robert Schillerstrom, the Rev. Corey Brooks of Chicago, David Gonzalez, the mayor of Chicago Heights, and Craig Johnson, Elk Grove Village mayor. Director Earl Dotson arrived shortly after the meeting was canceled.
The board has been short one member since July 2017 when Director James Sweeney, president of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, was not reappointed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
"I apologize but we can't meet without six directors and we will not get six directors here today," Chairman Robert Schillerstrom said at about 9:15 a.m.
Director Joseph Gomez was ill and Director Neli Vasquez-Rowland had a previously scheduled family event, officials said. It was not known why Director James Banks was absent and he did not respond to a request for comment.
"This is unusual, it's unfortunate and it will not be a trend," Schillerstrom said.
Items on Thursday's agenda included a report from the tollway inspector general, a final update on the 2017 budget and numerous construction contracts such as a $50.1 million project fixing pavement and bridges on the Veterans Memorial Tollway.
The next board session is April 26.
Tollway directors are paid $31,426 a year.
Candidates for the vacant director spot are under consideration, a Rauner spokeswoman said. There are 11 directors but two are ex officio: the governor and the IDOT secretary.
Convenient. This prevents them from hearing complaints from their customers.
“This prevents them from hearing complaints from their customers.”
Or dealing with their massive pension debt which pretty much dwarfs any phony construction costs they’re trying to foist on the public.
L
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.