New toll chief stresses need for transparency

The Illinois tollway's newest leaders jumped into the action Thursday following their recent appointments by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Quinn had promised to clean house at the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority this winter following his move to governor. He replaced ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is facing corruption charges including allegations he tried to extort donations from a contractor in connection with tollway projects.

Newly appointed board Chairman Paula Wolff struck a conciliatory note as she presided over her first meeting, noting that the tollway is an asset to the state and its employees work hard to make it so.

Wolff, a senior executive at Chicago Metropolis 2020, also talked about priorities she shared with Quinn, including environmentally friendly projects and the "need for transparency and openness" in government.

The other incoming officials are tollway directors Bill Morris, former Waukegan mayor, and Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner.

Weisner noted that during the construction of the Eola Road interchange in his town, he had worked extensively with the agency. "We've had a lot of cooperation from the tollway and the experience has been very positive," he said. "Sometimes, the perception of the public differs from my own - so we have a little work to do."

Meanwhile Morris joked that he would require tollway employees to read his master's thesis on public works infrastructure and transportation, but took a hard line regarding encouraging companies that are owned by individuals considered disadvantaged, such as minorities or women. The tollway needs to increase minority participation, he said.

Tollway staff also gave the new directors a snapshot of how the agency operates and current projects. Chief Engineer Paul Kovacs told the board the tollway's massive reconstruction and rebuilding program would be 81 percent complete by the end of the year.