Quinn names new tollway chairman

Once again, an Illinois governor is introducing new leadership at the Illinois Tollway and promising reform.

Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday appointed Metropolis 2020 Senior Executive Paula Wolff as Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board chairman. He also picked Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and former Waukegan Mayor Bill Morris as tollway board directors.

Poking fun at the tollway's "Taj Mahal" headquarters in Downers Grove, Quinn said he not only wanted clean government but a clean environment, saying the agency needed to consider programs that reduce the region's carbon footprint.

"We have to make sure everything is ethical and everything is efficient," Quinn said. "We want you as the driver to get a fair shake from the tollway."

Before serving on the civic organization that focuses on planning and policy issues, Wolff was president of Governors State University and before that a top staffer for former Gov. Jim Thompson.

Wolff, a Chicagoan and the first female tollway chairman, said she listened to traffic reports in the morning and realized that now "every time I hear about congestion on the tollway, it will give me heartburn."

The tollway is going through turbulent times with the departure of top staff, links to corruption allegations involving former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and foreclosure proceedings against its oases operator, Wilton Partners.

Wolff replaces outgoing Chairman John Mitola who offered his resignation Wednesday citing personal reasons. Mitola was appointed in 2003 by Blagojevich, who pledged an era of good government only to be indicted by federal prosecutors and accused of trying to shake down a tollway contractor for campaign money. He denies any wrongdoing.

Wolff promised to "keep everything clean as a whistle," adding "we have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure all the people of Illinois get exactly what they should be getting."

Weisner and Morris, a former state senator and member of the Citizens Utility Board, will replace directors Betty-Ann Moore and Steven Harris, whose terms have ended.

Weisner said he felt his experience running the second largest city in Illinois would serve him well. Regarding various construction projects under consideration, he said "we'll have to look at each case individually."

Blagojevich last fall announced a $1.8 billion tollway construction program including interchanges at I-290 and I-90 plus I-294 and I-57 in addition to carpool or "green lanes."

Following Blagojevich's arrest, the plans were put on hold. Quinn said it would be up to the board to decide the fate of the proposal and of related toll increases approved for trucks.

"Things will not be accepted as automatic precedent," he said.

Democrat state Sens. Jeff Schoenberg, of Evanston, and Susan Garrett, of Lake Forest, lauded Wolff's appointment. The two will hold hearings this fall into tollway issues including the green lanes, Wilton Partners and glitches with violation notices.

"I have always been impressed with her intellect, grace and tenacity. She certainly has a formidable challenge ahead of her," Schoenberg said.

Quinn indicated he will replace other directors with expired terms and said the future of Acting Executive Director Michael King rests with the board. Wolff, Weisner and Morris will not accept compensation for their positions.

During Mitola's tenure, the tollway extended I-355, has nearly completed a massive rebuilding and widening project and introduced electronic tolling.

Quinn praised Mitola's service and said Mitola had informed him several months ago he was ready to leave. Mitola, a major donor to Blagojevich, told Quinn that the death of his sister last year and health issues involving his parents led him to step down and focus on his family.

Daily Herald Staff Writer Joseph Ryan contributed to this report.