Illinois Tollway

Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’

By Matt Paprocki
10/24/2014
In the past two years, the Illinois Tollway Authority has filed lawsuits totaling $11 million against drivers who didn’t pay tolls – a fee that was originally sold to the public as “temporary.” When the Illinois Tollway was originally created in 1953, lawmakers used the revenue to pay for the original bonding needed to build...

Illinois corruption watch, June 2014

By Brian Costin, Anthony Trania
07/09/2014
Unfortunately for taxpayers, June was a groundbreaking month for corruption in Illinois. In June alone, there were reports of 85 corruption-related stories in the state. Some of the record-breaking highlights include the following: For the first time in 33 years, the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission exercised its subpoena powers in the issuance of a subpoena...

Illinois Corruption Watch, May 2014

By Brian Costin
06/04/2014
In completing our second month of the new “Illinois Corruption Watch” project, we are shocked at the volume of corruption stories being reported across the state. In just two months we have found reports of 101 different corruption-related stories; 45 in April and 56 in May. It’s no wonder Illinois citizens have by far the...

10 Reasons to Repeal the 67 Percent Tax Hike

By Chris Andriesen
01/19/2011
Family budgets are on the line. The average Illinois household faces an increase of nearly $1,500 in its state income tax bill. A head cook and an office worker with two kids, earning a combined $80,000, will pay an additional $1,527 in state income taxes thanks to the tax hike – on top of the $2,160...

New Jersey Turnpike Authority Spends Money on Bowling League & Birthdays

10/20/2010
by Amanda Griffin-Johnson In New Jersey, auditors concluded the New Jersey Turnpike Authority “wasted $43 million on unneeded perks and bonuses.” The audit found public funds were spent on an employee bowling league and an event for toll operators which “none of the authority’s employees actually attended.” In an egregious example highlighting the problems with the current compensation...

Welders on the State Payroll

05/12/2010
Welders working for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority received average annual wages 73% higher than the average for welders in Illinois.