Senate eyes empowering tollway inspector general

Legislation to increase the authority of the Illinois tollway's watchdog was introduced in Springfield this week.

An amendment to the Toll Highway Act sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett seeks to create an independent inspector general's office with a separate budget.

Garrett, who is conducting hearings into problems at Illinois State Toll Highway Authority oases, said the changes will put the tollway on the same page as other government agencies.

"The tollway should not have its own separate rules for policing themselves," Garrett said. "Based on the problems of the past, we should do all that is possible to ensure the highest ethical standards."

Tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis said the agency had worked with Garrett on the bill over the past few weeks and looked forward to collaborating to finalize the legislation this session.

The agency was muddied by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest on corruption charges including allegations he tried to extort donations from contractors in connection with tollway projects. Blagojevich says he is innocent. The previous inspector general Tracy Smith resigned last August at the same time the Illinois attorney general's office revealed it was reviewing her performance related to a potential conflict of interest, which she denies.

New leaders at the tollway changed the position title, creating a general manager of investigations and audit, and appointed respected, retired FBI agent James Wagner to the job.

The amendment restores the inspector general job and gives the department a larger budget than at present based on a percentage of tollway revenues.

Instead of the inspector general being hired by the same officials he or she might have to investigate, the legislation would authorize the governor to make the appointment subject to Senate approval. It also gives the inspector general subpoena powers.

The amendment also seeks to require that tollway hirings or firings conform to laws governing state employees.