TFIC Suggests Ownership of Tollway

• Andy Cole
• February 27, 2008

In our continued efforts to proactively represent the interests of our members, the Builders Association was the only commercial building construction association to take part in a Transportation For Illinois Coalition's white paper. The paper recommends continued public ownership of the Illinois Tollway over leasing the Tollway out, as has been discussed by some politicians. Public/private partnerships have gained momentum as an innovative way to generate funding, but the TFIC's in-depth research revealed a number of issues with the tollway privatization study from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The TFIC also pointed to several additional factors not included in that study. During a 50-to-75-year lease term, the study on tollway privatization allows no funds for major improvements in the lease estimates, including:

• Reconstruction
• Adding lanes
• Western access to O'Hare

In addition, the estimates assume a non-compete clause, under which the region would place restrictions on construction of nearby facilities that could draw traffic from the tollway. The Builders Association views both of the above items as being detrimental to the commercial building construction industry.

For a look at the complete white paper, contact Tania Maschhoff of the TFIC.