Click here to view this Taxpayer Alert as a PDF.
The Illinois Toll Highway Authority today holds the second to last in a series of 6 remaining public hearings on the proposed 90% toll increase. Today’s hearings will be in Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties from 7pm to 9pm.
Boosters for the toll hike—including unions, contractors, and political lackeys, are expected to make a showing at the hearings. Taxpayers and commuters are needed to attend and make sure the tough questions are asked. Among the troubling questions surrounding the $12.1 billion project:
1) The Jane Addams Tollway is in poor condition, and we do not dispute that it needs repair. However, before we pay almost double in tolls, we want to know
Has the resurfacing project going on since April 2011 been a complete waste of our money? Will resurfaced areas have to be ripped up in order to rebuild? Would it not be more cost-effective in the short run to complete the “quick fix” resurfacing and hold the rebuild for better economic times? Can we trust the Authority to spend the funds properly and to use a fair and transparent bidding process instead of paying more for well-connected contractors?
2) Why do we need the Elgin-O’Hare expansion? Until the western terminal of the airport is built, this is just a $3.6 billion (or as much as $4.3 billion) “Road to Nowhere”!
3) Why do we need to expand Route 53 for the “Illiana Expressway” when the Illiana does not yet exist? This project has been planned out before at our expense, and left to become obsolete and planned yet again at our expense. Meanwhile, Indiana is not building anything for us to connect to. How long will this pattern continue?
Go to the hearing and ask these questions of the Tollway directors.
August 22, 7-9 p.m.
Lee County – Comfort Inn, 154 Plaza Drive, Dixon
Ogle County – Comfort Inn & Suites, 1122 N. Seventh Street, Rochelle
Whiteside County – Sterling Municipal Building, 212 3rd Avenue, Sterling
Winnebago County – Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State Street, Rockford
August 23, 4-6 p.m.
Cook County – Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg
August 23, 7-9 p.m.
Lake County – Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove