* Press release…
Governor JB Pritzker accepted the resignation of Tollway Chair Dorothy Abreu, as she leaves to focus on her health challenges.
“I appreciate Dorothy’s service and dedication to both the Tollway and the people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Her work has undoubtedly improved our infrastructure and she is leaving the Tollway in a strong financial and operational position. I wish Dorothy and her family well.”
“The past eleven months leading the Illinois Tollway have been a tremendous journey for me,” Dorothy Abreu, Director, and Chair of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. “As I promised on day one, I have conducted my affairs with integrity and strived to provide transparency with all stakeholders. I am grateful for the opportunity to have helped oversee the Tollway and the more than 1,200 dedicated employees that make it great.”
Vice Chairman Jim Connolly will assume the responsibilities of the board chair until the Governor names a new permanent chair.
Her replacement will be Pritzker’s third since 2019. Will Evans served for three years until resigning. Abreu replaced Evans.
- Old time Independent - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:26 pm:
As I said earlier how many bites at the apple does Pritzker gets? And if anyone doesn’t think she was forced out then I have a bridge to sell you. Just this past Thursday she gave a speech at Magianos in Oakbrook on her future strategic plan going forward with the Tollway. In was a reception honoring Woman in Transportation.
This administration needs to explain the constant interfering at the Tollway
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:28 pm:
===the constant interfering===
So, you were OK with keeping Evans?
- Arsenal - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:33 pm:
==As I said earlier how many bites at the apple does Pritzker gets?==
…as many as it wants, I guess? As many as it takes? The Governor gets to fill that seat.
- DOTTO - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:46 pm:
Can someone explain what value the Tollway Authority adds to our expressway system? It has always been a place to park political cronies of the party in power. In my view, the IDOT does a pretty good job of managing the rest of the state’s interstate highway system without the bloated salaries of the senior staff and trustees of the Tollway Authority. Why not dissolve the Tollway Authority and merge the tollways into the rest of the IDOT responsibilities?
- NIU Grad - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:46 pm:
“on her future strategic plan going forward with the Tollway”
Realistically that was probably presenting on the Tollway leadership’s strategic plan prepared by senior staff…although I have still not figured out the new dynamic between the Chair and Executive Director since Evans declared himself full-time and in charge of day-to-day affairs.
- Todd & Margo - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:49 pm:
The Tollway is a agency of the State, the Chair is appointed by the Governor… Why shouldn’t the Governor’s office interfere? OR have stake in what is happening there? Maybe her strategic plan of raising toll rates on passenger cars did not mesh with the Governor’s plan for the agency? Or her combative nature in board meetings didn’t mesh well with other board members? If you don’t think the Governor’s office interferes with other state agencies then I have a bridge to sell you my friend.
- Amalia - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 12:57 pm:
This Abreu leaving is not nearly as sad as the other one leaving.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 1:27 pm:
So is the Gov moving on from Abreu, or is Abreu separating herself from the Tollway. I can only speculate that the Gov would prefer to close the revolving door, it looks bad.
- jimbo - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 2:09 pm:
==what value the Tollway Authority adds to our expressway system?==
If one were to keep the tolls and require that the money be spent on the tollways, I suppose not a lot would change.
But the tollways are widened, re-paved, plowed and whatever else you can think of significantly more than any IDOT road.
Go from 88 to 290 or 355 to 55 and it’s impossible to notice the difference.
Creating and then extending 355 in 30 years, doubling the width of I88, and doubling the width of I294 are all things that would never have happened without the tolls/tollway.
- jimbo - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 2:10 pm:
Oops.
impossible to NOT notice the difference
Sorry
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 2:22 pm:
Completely agree Jimbo
- Proud Sucker - Monday, Jan 30, 23 @ 4:14 pm:
Despite the political drama and history as the R’s pool of patronage, ISTHA does a better job at maintaining their system.
Primarily because it is all they do. No airports, rivers, two-lane rural collectors, etc. to worry about. Just interstate standard, controlled access roads. Hence the ability to accomplish what Jimbo so accurately listed.