Quinn has five in mind to take driver's seat at tollway?

Three people working for public transit agencies, the former head of Boston's "Big Dig" project and an official with Gov. Pat Quinn's administration will be considered for the Illinois tollway's executive director job this week.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Monday confirmed the identities of five candidates on a shortlist for its top spot. The agency has been without a permanent chief since December 2008.

A special tollway committee is expected to interview applicants in the next few days although it's unlikely a decision will be made until the full board of directors votes on the issue.

Among the five are Pace Chairman Richard Kwasneski and former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chief Matthew J. Amorello.

In addition to presiding over the 13-member Pace board of directors, Kwasneski is the former village president of Lemont and executive director of the Joliet Arsenal Development Authority.

Amorello is an executive with Mayo Consulting Group Inc., which provides staffing services for federal, state and local government agencies. He served as chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority during the controversial "Big Dig" tunnel mega-project, an underground highway through downtown Boston. The project was criticized for cost overruns, safety problems and the length of time it took to build.

The Daily Herald reported Saturday that Kristi LaFleur, Quinn deputy chief of staff for economic development and recovery, RTA Senior Deputy Executive Director for Planning and Regional Programs Leanne Redden and Oak Lawn Trustee Jerry Hurckes, a Metra grant administrator, were among the candidates.

The position has previously paid $189,000 a year.