In the News

Lake County News Sun, October 29, 2009

Residents interested in viewing the Illinois Tollway Board’s monthly meeting at 10 a.m. today can do so on the tollway’s Web site.
State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest, said that is the type of transparency she and other legislators are looking for from the agency as Senate hearings on the Tollway’s financial issues continue. “We feel that the push for more transparency is paying off,” Garrett said. “We will continue to have these hearings until things get back on track.”

Some state officials have been seeking more oversight of the agency following the foreclosure of the firm which operated the Tollway oases and other issues, including the tollway’s methods of pursuing Tollway violators and ExxonMobil’s exploration of subletting oasis gas stations.

Tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis said Tollway officials, including new Tollway Board Chair Paula Wolff, met with Garrett Wednesday in preparation for the next Senate Committee hearing on the agency, and that they are working with Garrett to provide the information legislators are seeking.

The next hearing before the Illinois Senate State Government & Veterans Affairs is scheduled for 11 a.m. Nov. 4 in the James R. Thompson Center, Chicago.

Those interested in viewing today’s and subsequent meetings of the Tollway Board online can access a live broadcast at illinoistollway.com.