In the News

Crain's Chicago Business, January 8, 2010

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority has hired veteran Chicago crimefighter Jim Wagner as its new internal watchdog, the first significant staff-level change since the agency was tarred by pay-to-play scandals under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

A former president of the Chicago Crime Commission and an FBI agent in Chicago for 31 years, Mr. Wagner headed the FBI’s organized crime unit from 1995 to 2000. He was also chief investigator for the Illinois Gaming Board and for the last year has worked as an independent consultant and expert witness on organized crime.

“It’s helpful that Jim brings credibility and unquestioned integrity and relationships with state and federal law enforcement,” said Michael King, tollway executive director. “His integrity is above reproach.”

Still sorting out his priorities after one week in office, Mr. Wagner said his goal is to address “any example of fraud, misuse of state materials or contracts issued. I will make sure things are being done openly, aboveboard and honestly.”

As general manager of investigations and audits, he’s filling a role vacated last August by former inspector general Tracy Smith, who resigned shortly after Gov. Pat Quinn appointed civic leader Paula Wolff as the new chairwoman of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, along with several other new board members.

“They’re in desperate need of someone who’s going to enforce good government,” says Illinois Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, a longtime critic of the tollway. “He’s got a good résumé.”

Mr. Wagner will report to both Mr. King and the board’s audit committee, which includes Ms. Wolff and the board’s other committee chairs.

“We are fortunate to have Jim join the tollway,” Ms. Wolff said. “He is experienced, focused, a devoted public servant and eager to fulfill the board's and governor's expectation that the tollway be, in every way, clean as a whistle.”

Unlike other state agencies, the semi-autonomous tollway no longer has a position called inspector general, due to a quirk in state law governing that job description. Whatever the title is, the tollway’s watchdog has never had subpoena powers.

“We’re trying to change that,” said Ms. Garrett. “Having subpoena power is absolutely essential.”