Extra hearings for toll rate increase
The Illinois tollway will hold extra hearings on its controversial proposal to increase rates to pay for maintenance work and build new expressways.
The agency last week announced details of a $12 billion, 15-year capital plan. The program includes $8 billion for repairing existing tollways as well as widening I-90 from the Tri-State Tollway to Rockford.
There’s also $4 billion for building an interchange at the Tri-State Tollway and I-57 and extending the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway east to the airport and constructing a western bypass around O’Hare.
Other work involves planning studies on extending Route 53 north and the Illiana Expressway, which would connect I-55 near Joliet to I-65 in Indiana.
The agency has proposed toll hikes ranging from 35 cents to 45 cents for I-PASS users in passenger vehicles at most of its toll plazas to pay for the work.
Local hearings include:
Ÿ 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18, Kane County Government Center, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva.
Ÿ 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18, DuPage County Government Center, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.
Ÿ 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19, Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St.
Ÿ 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 19, Village of Huntley, 10987 Main St.
Ÿ 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 23, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court.
Ÿ 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 23, Buffalo Grove Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd.