Posted on 01/26/2019 8:18:51 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
How far will changes at the beleaguered Illinois tollway go and how will that affect day-to-day operations?
Illinois House lawmakers voted 100-6 Tuesday to end the terms of nine tollway directors appointed by departing Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner after concerns about "unethical behavior." The state Senate is expected to vote Wednesday, and the tollway directors could be sent packing shortly after Democratic Gov.-elect Pritzker takes office Monday.
The agency can continue to run normally without a board in the short term, one expert said.
"The tollway will be fine -- at this time of year they're working on long-term planning for the construction season and there's enough backlog to make sure everyone focuses on the mission of the tollway," former Executive Director Greg Bedalov said.
It's likely another change is coming in the top spot now held by Executive Director Elizabeth Gorman, political observers believe. New governors typically put their own footprint on tollway leadership even without controversies.
The unprecedented legislation "sends a clear message we want some changes," said Democratic state Rep. Marty Moylan of Des Plaines, who predicted a shake-up at the executive director level.
An automatic response on Gorman's email said she was out of the office from Dec. 31 to Jan. 14 and couldn't be reached for comment.
In backing Senate Bill 1298, Pritzker said the tollway needs a "fresh start" to ensure construction contracts aren't awarded to "political insiders."
Tollway officials have said the agency has scrupulously followed all laws and enacted changes in late 2018 to increase accountability.
"The tollway board serves at the pleasure of the governor," Director Neli Vazquez Rowland of Bartlett said. She added she was "honored and humbled" to serve on the tollway and would support Pritzker and his administration, if given the chance.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailyherald.com ...
Illinois is no stranger to graft and corruption. If they want to replace somebody, it’s because they want to bring in their “own” people.
I have always been steamed that Crook County can come down and extract a minor toll on I-80 while bypassing Chicago to the south.
It’s criminal.
Illinois? Unethical behavior? Isnt’ that synonymous?
And, then there is Obama, Illinois state senator, US senator, the most corrupt president in the nation's history? The guy who hired the thief who is now mayor of Chicago?
I believe it’s part of the Tri-State Tollway, running from the Indiana border to the I-294 exit.
It is, but it is still a ripoff and traffic bump. [and I have an EZPass....]
"of nine"... not "of ALL nine"... meaning that there's ten or more of these "directors"?? Exactly how much directing do they do? It's toll booths and scan-cameras doing most of the work as it is.
Iam shocked, shocked!
Actually, I made a mistake. The Tri-State Tollway piece of I-80 runs between the I-94 and I-294 exits in Chicongoland.
The tolls were supposed to be temporary, until the tollway was paid for.
That worked out great.
There’s a toll “Plaza” on “294”/I-80 just south of Chicago that nips every one bound for Iowa and points West.
It’s a total ripoff.
I generally buy gas in Ind. and then Iowa [or the reverse], not ever supporting the criminals running the Ill. State.
A Repub, Bob Schillerstrom, is the director. He’s pretty much gone. He’s more RAT than Rhino. Never trusted him.
There iscalways waste management
They’re only un-ethical because they were appointed by a republican. For a den un-ethical is a prerequisite, it’s a feature not a bug.
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