State tollway authority chairman resigns

Illinois Tollway Chairman John Mitola, who headed the agency through one of its most turbulent periods, submitted his resignation to Gov. Pat Quinn Wednesday.

Quinn is expected to address finding a successor to Mitola at a news conference Thursday and could also talk about replacing board members.

The departure of Mitola comes at a time when the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is under scrutiny from Quinn, who had vowed to clean house at the agency, and from lawmakers, who plan hearings this September on several controversies. A tollway spokesman said Mitola's decision was strictly personal.

Mitola was appointed in 2003 by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is charged with corruption, including allegations he wanted to extort campaign donations from a tollway contractor. Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing.

During Mitola's tenure, the agency instituted electronic tolling, extended I-355 and embarked on a massive widening and reconstruction program.

Agency spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis said the death of a close relative last year and needs of his family and young children were the deciding factors for Mitola.

"He told us he believes it's time for the governor to have a new chairman to determine the tollway's next phase of service," McGinnis said. "Family issues are taking center stage."

The tollway has weathered scandal under other administrations. But allegations Blagojevich wanted to use the agency's latest $1.8 billion construction project, which included controversial carpool or "green" lanes, as a cash source cast a shadow that was difficult to shake.

The agency also took hits for snafus with its electronic toll collection system. The problems included misreadings of license plates and delays mailing violation notices that resulted in many users facing exorbitant fees, a Daily Herald investigation found.

Corruption allegations also surfaced when the operator of the oases, Wilton Partners, was found to have ties to Blagojevich and his associates. Wilton is now in foreclosure proceedings with a lender, which sparked state senators to call for hearings into that issue and into the green lanes.

"John in his capacity as chairman took some criticism because of his relationship with Blagojevich," tollway Director James Roolf of Will County said. "I would suggest he did a great job."

The agency also has seen the departure of some top staffers, including former executive director Brian McPartin, whose attempt to work for a major tollway contractor was abandoned in the midst of opposition by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

With the ouster of Blagojevich in January and Quinn taking charge, the board put plans for the latest construction program on hold.

It's unclear if the governor will announce plans to appoint new tollway directors Thursday, although an official confirmed Quinn staffers had asked for at least one person's resignation.

Mitola's term, along with two other directors, does not end until 2011. Six other board members' terms have expired already.

Despite the turmoil, the agency is proceeding full steam ahead finishing its congestion relief effort, McGinnis noted.

"This puts us in a better position to serve our customers not only now but in the future," she said."

Director Betty-Ann Moore of Libertyville praised Mitola, saying "he kept us steady at a very difficult time."