Public Hearings Coming On Planned Hike In Illinois Tolls
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Illinois Tollway officials say the public will get its chance to sound off on proposals to raise the tolls to help fund a $12 billion capital construction plan.
As WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, more than a dozen hearings are scheduled.
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Tolls would nearly double for I-Pass users, and go up for all tollway drivers in the 15-year plan approved by the Toll Highway Authority board.
The revenue would fund projects such as widening and reconstruction on Interstate 90, and maintaining existing roadways.
But some have complained the size of the toll hike was a complete surprise. Toll Highway Authority chair Paula Wolff doesn't deny it.
"That's a fair comment," she said. "I don't think that we did have a full discussion of the amount of the increase. That's what the purpose of the public hearings actually is."
But Toll Highway officials say the higher tolls are needed to maintain the system and move it forward.
Wolff and Tollway executive director Kristi Lafleur are the guests this weekend on "At Issue." You can hear more of their comments on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
