* I have often chided Downstaters and suburbanites for petty, counter-productive regionalism. This time, it’s Chicago’s turn.
For years, Illinois leaders have been scolded for not being more like our neighboring states’ leaders. Why can’t our government come up with innovative ideas like theirs?
Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels was hoisted so high up on a pedestal by some folks here that he was nearly elevated to demi-god status.
So, what happened when Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, who was stung badly when Daniels compared Illinois’ governance to “The Simpsons” TV show, finally teamed up with the Hoosier state’s sainted erstwhile governor on a massive public-private infrastructure project?
What happened when Daniels, who signed a union-busting “right to work” bill into law, negotiated a significant compromise with some major Illinois unions for that project?
Well, many of those same Daniels worshippers have flip-flopped and are now screaming that the world’s about to end.
The project is the proposed Illiana Expressway. It’s a “public-private partnership” designed to be a freight corridor through southern Will County from Interstate 55, across I-57 over to Indiana’s I-65.
If you’ve traveled down I-55 through Will County you couldn’t help but notice the unbelievably dense truck traffic. That’s because the county has developed a massive “inland port,” connecting railway and truck cargo shipments.
There’s even been some hope that the proposed third regional airport near the Peotone I-57 exit could complement the Will County operation with cargo flights.
What’s that? Peotone?
Ah, we’ve stumbled across the magic word.
Chicago has been trying to kill the third airport idea for decades, and it has so far succeeded. But when former Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. — the airport’s biggest booster — self-immolated, Gov. Quinn stepped in and seized control and the airport now looks like more of a possibility than it ever has.
A major new road running right by that proposed airport would be another huge boost to the airport’s future, so the road has to be stopped. It’s hardly a secret.
A lot of numbers are being tossed around, but keep in mind that this would be a toll road funded at least in part by private investors.
One objection to the road is that it would create more unsightly urban sprawl. But even the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), which this week voted to disapprove of the project, admits that the freight corridor likely won’t lead to more sprawl.
The main complaint by CMAP, though, is that the road could expose the state to “significant financial risk.”
If the state’s toll revenue projections come up short, then the state could wind up paying the tab, which CMAP claims might be as much as $1 billion. And if that happens it could mean less money for much needed Chicago-area projects.
There are most definitely some regional jealousies at play here as well. A win for another region is too often seen as a loss for Chicago. So, it was no accident when CMAP Chairman Gerald Bennett ridiculed the project this week as a “highway in nowhereland.”
The bottom line here is that Illinois desperately needs jobs and innovative development. And it really needs to get beyond the petty regionalism that has held it back for so many years. If Chicago wants a similar project, then Chicago ought to make it happen.
So, I have a two-part suggestion.
Just to be safe, a neutral third party should review the state’s toll revenue projections.
Then, if the numbers work, let’s see if private investors really do step up to help finance this thing. If investor interest is weak, and no other non-tax funding sources can be found, then everybody could move on to something different.
Needless to say, this being Illinois, I’m not exactly holding my breath.
* Illiana Expressway plan looks like it will pass
* Kadner: Quinn asks mayors to save Illiana: Quinn also criticized Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who opposes the planned tollway, for taking a “parochial attitude.” Emanuel has indicated that he fears financial support for the Illiana Expressway will drain money away from Chicago road projects. “We need to take a regional approach,” Quinn said. “What helps one area of the region helps the entire region.”… State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) came out of the meeting with Quinn and said, “If it’s time to draw a line in the sand, and ask who stands with us or against us, I’m ready to do that.” Hutchinson said she had worked with Chicago legislators and others, helping them to pass bills that would benefit their areas, and was “tired of watching people turn around and say they’re opposed to projects whenever they’re about to help the south suburbs.” “If they want my help in the future, if they want my vote, they’re going to have to show some support for projects in the area I represent,” she said.
* Quinn throws support behind Illiana: Home Depot, Quinn said, was already looking to expand at the intermodal site, using it as a center for 340 stores. Quinn said there was a “great deal” of interest from private investors in building the expressway. He said the public-private partnership, which would presumably be funded with tolls, would be “the first if its kind.”
* Reiher: CMAP’s Bennett a Nowhere Man
- RonOglesby - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 9:54 am:
That highway could be so useful. Ever have to try to get to Indi? track to 80, run east, where you try to get to 65 via that lovely 294, 80, 94 merge that is a huge choke point around the lake.
This is a perfect example of something government SHOULD do. building highways to enable commerce, ease transport, etc. Yet of course they dont want it to protect existing interests.
If you have ever driven that route, you know exactly what is going on here.
- Mike - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 9:58 am:
Ask the residents of the 41st, 36th and 45th wards how they feel about Peotone…they are gonna get blasted out of their homes with jet noise in a few days when O’hare changes the approaches due to Mayor Daley’s ‘modernization’ plans.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 9:58 am:
Lake Michigan is a choke point for east/west traffic across the nation.
I’m not a fan of a Peotone airport, but anything that can relieve congestion on 80, 90, and 94 is a-ok by me.
- Plutocrat03 - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:07 am:
“Ask the residents…..”
No airlines have expressed interest, much less have a desire to have operations (passenger or cargo) in a Peotone airport. So, regardless of what effect the new runway at O’Hare will have on residents, that will not change for the better if a new airport is built.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:13 am:
–Ask the residents of the 41st, 36th and 45th wards how they feel about Peotone…–
You really can’t complain “Not in My Back Yard” when O’Hare was the backyard when you moved in.
- South of Sherman - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:22 am:
Rich, I’m shocked! I can’t believe you would use such crass language and hateful rhetoric just because…
Oh, naggers.
Never mind.
- Tony - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:22 am:
That link to the column by Reiher points to an interesting aspect of this story that no one else is covering. Gerry Bennett, the CMAP chair who made the “road to nowhere” crack, is a southwest suburban mayor. Palos Hills isn’t very close to the proposed route of the Illiana, but still, I would imagine he’s not making a lot of friends among his fellow south Cook mayors.
- Chris - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:24 am:
“Then, if the numbers work, let’s see if private investors really do step up to help finance this thing. If investor interest is weak, and no other non-tax funding sources can be found, then everybody could move on to something different.”
Why do we need to have a “3d party” run the toll projections for the benefit of private investors who will run their own toll projections, anyway?
Put it out there–if there isn’t private investor interest, it should be DOA. The private investors know how to run numbers.
- Chris - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:31 am:
“Ask the residents of the 41st, 36th and 45th wards how they feel about …”
Paying for an airport that won’t make one bit of difference to the flight traffic over their heads.
Compare to Montreal Mirabel.
Peotone works if it can be a hub (at least a ’sub’ hub) for FedEx or UPS–How much would we have to pay FedEx to uproot from Indy? Why would it make sense to give anything to UPS to move from Rockford? Why would UPS move from Rockford, when Rockford is close enough to serve Milwaukee, too, and is closer to most of the Chicago-area business customers than Peotone is?
- Chris - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:34 am:
“Put it out there–if there isn’t private investor interest, it should be DOA. The private investors know how to run numbers.”
PS to myself–It also *must* include the investors accepting some risk–If the agreement is another Chicago Parking Meter boondoggle–where the State mihgt be paying the ‘investors’ millions per year in toll shortfalls–that’s still a bad deal.
So, it *must* be a good business deal for the state, too.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:36 am:
===You really can’t complain “Not in My Back Yard” when O’Hare was the backyard when you moved in.===
Uhm, yeah but if you now have traffic traipsing through your backyard because your “neighbor” decides his guests need new routes in and out of his little soiree, I’d say that’s a legitimate beef.
- Mike - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:41 am:
“No airlines have expressed interest, much less have a desire to have operations (passenger or cargo) in a Peotone airport.”
Of course not, they have a monopoly on O’hare.
Denver, Dallas, Houston, New York, and Washington D all built new airports further out instead of modernizing their closer in existing 1940s/1950s era ones.
A big reason Southwest exists today is because they were granted monopoly on Love Field, after all the other airlines were forced to move to Dallas-Ft. Worth
Not saying Chicago should automatically build a new airport, but there is significant precedent for building a modern airport further out.
- K3 - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:46 am:
Finally someone said it! Clear regional bias from CMAP on anything that will benefit the southland.
- Out Here In The Middle - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 10:54 am:
I’m certain that the Peotone airport will prove to be every bit as successful as the St. Louis Mid-America airport has been . . . . .
- FP_J - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:06 am:
Perhaps I just have a different understanding of “region,” but the reason why CMAP gets a say in this is because Will County is in the Chicago region (i.e. it is within the boundary covered by CMAP, the federally-recognized Metropolitan Planning Organization for Northeastern Illinois).
In contrast to previous plans (which federal law requires CMAP to make), the current 30-year plan (GOTO 2040) was designed to be fiscally constrained. In other words, they didn’t just through everything and the kitchen sink in there, they tried to select the projects that produced the most bang for the buck. This is the second time now that IDOT has pushed a project that didn’t make the cut (the other was the circle interchange).
The interesting thing about this project, which Pat “Jobs” Quinn is pushing so hard, is that IDOT’s own analysis projects that it will induce something like 5,000 jobs to move from Illinois to Indiana. Sounds great.
Also worth noting, CMAP’s chairman and ED have basically directly accused IDOT of withholding CMAP’s funding (which comes from the feds and is earmarked for CMAP, but which must pass through IDOT) in order to pressure CMAP to accept this project. Despite a federal law requiring the state to release funds within 15 days, the have recently been delayed as many as 50+ days.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:07 am:
A couple of thoughts.
The South Suburban Airport has been talked about for decades, and not much has happened except the state has taken a bunch of land off the local tax rolls.
The Illiana project, on the other hand, seemingly came out of nowhere (no pun intended!) and moved a whole lot faster than anyone would have believed, especially considering two naturally competitive states had to work hand in hand in getting it done.
The public-private angle is key on both projects. I agree, no 3rd party vetting is necessary, the potential investors will spend literally million$ of their private money looking at both projects from every conceivable angle and then make their decision, and may come up with something very creative that no one thought of yet. I do think public disclosure and accountability on what the final taxpayer liability is is needed, but who’s going to know until all the bids and proposals are in? In other words, you don’t know what you’ve got unless you move the ball forward to enable a final bid.
This traditional politicking, thumbs-up-or-down process that CMAP is going through doesn’t really fit the new model for funding and building projects with private money. I don’t know what’s going to happen if Will County doesn’t get the vote it wants, but I suspect it won’t be pretty.
- walkinfool - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:12 am:
Peotone is a sinkhole for money waiting to happen. It will remain empty and unused, if built.
See Rockford, IL, or Newburgh, NY, or Gary, IN for examples of big airport projects, that were great only in the minds of their creators.
An alternative to I80, however, would be good for shipping and commerce, and possibly support a hub further south.
- titan - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:17 am:
+++ The main complaint by CMAP, though, is that the road could expose the state to “significant financial risk.”
If the state’s toll revenue projections come up short, then the state could wind up paying the tab, which CMAP claims might be as much as $1 billion. And if that happens it could mean less money for much needed Chicago-area projects. +++
What kind of bonds are they talking about using?
Wouldn’t using Revenue Bonds instead of G.O. Bonds protect the state adequately?
- RonOglesby - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:20 am:
To be clear, I could care less about a new airport. I just want to drive faster to Indi and south Ohio!
If ANYONE thinks that nightmare called an interstate just south of the lake is a good example of highway transport they just havent driven it enough.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:21 am:
–See Rockford, IL, or Newburgh, NY, or Gary, IN for examples of big airport projects, that were great only in the minds of their creators.–
Gary has money to spend because they get a share of PFCs from O’Hare and Midway as part of the Chicago-Gary Regional Airport Authority.
Back when Edgar was governor and the GOP controlled both chambers, there was a movement afoot to grab control of O’Hare and Midway as part of a “regional airport authority.”
Daley outfoxed them by pushing through Congress a bi-state airport authority including Gary, trumping any state action.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:34 am:
===See Rockford, IL, or Newburgh, NY, or Gary, IN for examples of big airport projects===
So, if a bridge collapses, does that mean bridges shouldn’t be built?
- DuPage - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:38 am:
The 80,94,294 merging ends up with traffic going through a meat grinder. I have seen many, many terrible accidents along the Frank Borman, many of them fatal.
This project would help lighten the traffic load on the overloaded Borman saving lives and reducing disabling injuries. In the long run, the states would save money on the cost of long term care of those disabled by accidents.
The project would be 90% funded by the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Tolls would be used for maintenance and State Police coverage, so actual ongoing costs to the state would be fairly small.
If we can get the road built 10 cents on the dollar, when Illinois could use the jobs and economic activity, we should definitely go ahead with it. If we don’t build it some other state will be happy to take the money for their projects.
Illinois is way down on the list of money received compared to taxes paid to the federal government. We should aggressively seek federal funding where ever possible.
Even if the Peotone airport never happens, the Illiana should be approved and built as soon as possible.
- Darienite - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:49 am:
Sunday afternoon I spent a lovely 1 hour and 20 minutes traveling the 45 miles along I-80/94 through Indiana.
Please construct the Illiana to take some of the traffic off of that bottleneck.
- Because I Say So... - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 11:59 am:
The Chicago Southand region has been the red headed step child of Illinois for far too long. The road is very much needed!
- FP_J - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 12:18 pm:
Here is an example of the “bang for your buck” argument. Estimated changes in gross regional product produced by major road projects in 2040:
Illiana: $425 M
Elgin O’Hare Western Access: $600 M
Central Lake County Corridor (IL 53/120): $1200 M
Source: http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/20583/25609/staff+rec+doc.pdf/9a87d4f5-06f6-450b-bf2d-ce0c7ed6dd17
- FP_J - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 12:21 pm:
Regarding regional equity: It is true that this is a real concern, but the majority of under-served communities (in terms of access to jobs) are in southern Cook or northern Will counties—far away from the Illiana corridor.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 12:27 pm:
-FP_J: Where do you think the Illiana Corridor should go? If the two states had the foresight to protect a corridor back in the 70’s (like they did with Route 53 in Lake County) it would not be impossible to build it closer as is the case now.
- FP_J - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 12:38 pm:
Six Degrees: Well, I don’t think it should be built at all. As a former Chicago resident and now as an inner-ring suburbanite, I see plenty of infrastructure literally crumbling apart around me that desperately needs to be repaired. The regional planners are CMAP agree and make the case that these investments in existing built-up communities are economically more rational.
As a side note: it pains me to see the CMAP process strong-armed in this way. The CMAP board and various committees, which have representatives from around the region, are the closest thing we have to a coherent regional government. The Chicago region is one economy; it is a terrible idea to have it carved up into the 200 or so governmental jurisdictions that it is today.
- RMW Stanford - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 12:45 pm:
I am not a huge fan of Peotone, we are over built with air ports. The highway project is seperate from that. If the private financing is there for it, it should go ahead.
- PJS - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:51 pm:
What troubles me the most is assertions like “this project will bring much needed jobs!” or “it will relieve congestion on I-80″ or “it will help move trucks in the region!”
none of this is true.
According to IDOT, the Illinana will create 9,000 construction jobs. Sure, anywhere you spend $1b you will get construction jobs. There is plenty of other places already in the plan that need investment. Also, according to IDOT this will create 940 permanent jobs (btw, they say 28,000 cause they multiply 940 by 30 years, the length of the project) So 940 jobs for $1b. thats about $1m per job. Worth it? i think not.
According to IDOT this will relieve 1-3% of the congestion in the study area. I-80 currently moves upwards of 180,000 vehicles/day. subtract 1-3% from that and tell me if you see any difference. Oh, and it will cost you a BILLION DOLLARS.
According to IDOT, the tolls will have to be set at such a level so that only 18,000 vehicles per day (about 9,000 trucks) use the Illiana. I’ve already said that I-80 carries 180,000 vehicles, yes ten times more than the Illiana will carry upon full build out with an assumed development of Peotone Airport. Again, for one billion dollars.
Finally, that there is an issue with trucks in that neck of the region is not at dispute, what is at dispute is whether spending $1 billion dollars to move 9,000 of them is worth it.
These are the numbers that IDOT is reporting. Check it out, read their materials carefully, that is all we did. if after reading you believe these meager benefits are worth $1 billion from a state that is struggling to maintain its current highways, fix bridges or invest in mass transit, well then, i guess we just disagree. But please don’t tell me it will alleviate congestion, or help the trucks, or create jobs. It won’t.
- Fed up - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 5:40 pm:
The Illiana tollway project is needed it will release massive congestion along 80/94/294 and spur development downstate. Chicago is short sighted in opposing this, developing a stronger region will produce a stronger more vibrant Chicago.
- Anon - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 6:02 pm:
@PJS, is the 1b figure the state cost, private cost, or total cost?
- Do I have to have a nickname - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 6:05 pm:
I am a little late to the party, but I second everything in the first post by RONOGLESBY.
This road is crazy, and I-80 is so busy especially during rush hour. This will hopefully alleviate that congestion.
- Henry Clay - Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 7:25 am:
Although I have opposed an airport in Peotone for many years, I will have to admit that if the Illiana Expressway actually does alleviate the massive truck traffic congestion that has been thrown onto Will County residents— then I am “reluctantly” for it. The intermodal locations that have sprung up in Will County over the past decade have inundated our county with semi-trucks and caused traffic gridlock on the roads, especially south of Joliet.
Asking Will County residents if they want the Illiana Expressway project to go forth is a little like asking someone if they want to undergo chemo-therapy. No, I would rather “not” have chemo but since I have already been given a cancer, it isn’t like I have many other treatment options available to me.