Hoffman Estates hires lobbyist to seek I-90 interchange funding

This week the Hoffman Estates village board approved paying a federal lobbyist $48,000 to help secure funding for a full Barrington Road interchange off the Jane Addams Tollway, also known as Interstate 90.

There's been talk for years about constructing additional ramps off Barrington Road. Motorists currently can't get onto the westbound tollway off Barrington Road or exit at Barrington Road while traveling east on the tollway.

“We're hoping to get more money for the interchange,” Mayor William McLeod said.

They've hired mCapitol Management, whose president, Gary LaPaille, is a former Illinois state senator and has worked closely with state House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The project has about $18 million in state funds already, but officials estimate the cost of construction to be $50 million to $70 million.

McLeod talked about the interchange's importance to increasing accessibility for public safety and emergency vehicles, as well as helping local businesses. The latest news is the Illinois Department of Transportation has agreed to help pay for the first phase of an engineering study on the project.