Pritzker defends 57% toll hike approved by board he appointed

The governor also tried to distance himself from the increases by pointing to the board — which he appointed.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker both defended the toll hikes that were approved last week and sought to distance himself from them.

Pritzker appointed all eight Illinois Tollway board members who signed off unanimously on the increases, which include the largest passenger hike in state history.

Asked about the rate increases last week at the Illinois State Fair, Pritzker said they were necessary to ensure Illinois has proper road infrastructure to keep the state competitive for commercial activity.

“Let’s be clear. We want to make sure that our roads are pothole-free, that we’re making sure to build more so we can build our economy across the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said.

He also defended the hikes in June at an unrelated event.

“It’s something that they need to do in order to make sure that we have the best roads, the best infrastructure, and I think that’s something that you may overlook may when you contemplate why they would consider this,” Pritzker said.

But also at the fair, he said, “That was something voted on by the tollway authority.”

Under Illinois law, the governor appoints the nine-member tollway board (it’s currently eight members) and serves as an ex-officio member along with the state Transportation Secretary.

Pritzker and the transportation secretary did not vote.

Hikes were part of political deal with unions for transit bill

Pritzker was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the toll hike last year. The plan was part of an agreement between the governor and labor unions in a bailout of Chicago-area mass transit.

To rescue the system, Illinois lawmakers proposed redirecting to the Regional Transportation Authority nearly $1.1 billion from the state Road Fund. To overcome opposition from unions concerned that the diverted money would fewer jobs for their members, Pritzker and Democratic legislative leaders reached a deal to authorize the tollway to raise rates in exchange for labor support.

Notably, two members of the tollway board represent labor unions whose members will be employed and paid through the money generated from the toll hikes.

Beginning Jan. 1, tolls will go up about 45 cents each, or 57%, for passengers to an average of $1.24 per toll. Commercial vehicle tolls will increase 30%, which could increase the price of consumer goods transported through Northern Illinois.

Also, automatic inflation-linked increases every two years start in 2029. The Illinois Policy Institute projects that passenger toll prices will triple from current levels by 2055.

Illinoisians can see through the political gamesmanship. Pritzker should take responsibility for a toll increase that will worsen the affordability crisis.