Tollway Stories & More—2024 Volume 10

Volume 10, 2024

Local Officials Tour I-490 Tollway Project

An esteemed group of elected officials joined Illinois Tollway leadership for a tour of the I-490 Tollway Project, including our innovative runway lighting bridge to help guide commercial jets to safe landings at O’Hare International Airport.

Joining us were State Sen. Cristina Castro, State Sen. Laura Murphy, State Rep. Michelle Mussman along with staff from the office of State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro and Village of Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen.

The Illinois Tollway appreciates all the support in driving this vital project forward to improve mobility, safety and economic growth for communities throughout the region. Together, we are building the future of transportation in Illinois!

Stakeholder Advisory Team Continues Work To Identify Priorities For Next Capital Plan

Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and Board Director Scott Paddock welcomed the team of leaders, advocates and partners who comprise our Stakeholder Advisory Team for their third meeting.

The team continued to identify potential priorities and considerations for the agency’s next capital plan, focusing on the topics of equitable economic development and sustainability. Thank you members for your continued engagement and commitment to the capital planning process!

Check out illinoistollway.com/future for the latest updates on our capital planning process.

Fifth Lane Opens On Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Between Irving Park Road and North Avenue

The Illinois Tollway opened a new fifth lane for drivers on the southbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between Irving Park Road and North Avenue, marking the completion of major construction work between Balmoral Avenue and North Avenue on the Central Tri-State Tollway Project.

“We hope customers will see the benefit of the Central Tri-State Tollway Project as we begin to turn the new roadway back over to drivers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “While our work is not yet completed, we understand the inconvenience roadwork can cause, and we want to take this opportunity to say thank you for your patience.”

Read the news release

Thank You, Highway Emergency Lane Patrol

We are so grateful for our frontline workers who make traveling on the Tollway safer for all. The stories we hear from Tollway users, such as Coach Jim Love and the College of Lake County tennis team, show us just how great of an impact our roadside assistance workers have on our communities.

Here’s what Coach Love had to say about his experience during a moment of assistance with his team on the Tollway:

"On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, I was travelling with the men’s tennis team from the College of Lake County. We had played a tennis match at Prairie State College and we were returning to Lake County on I-294 going north. The traffic was very heavy and was moving very quickly at the speed limit or over..."

Crain’s Chicago Business Names Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse Among 2024 Notable Black Leaders

Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse has been recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Black Leaders.

This prestigious honor reflects Cassaundra’s outstanding contributions to the transportation industry and her commitment to empowering communities throughout the Chicago region.

Community Leaders Invited to Explore ConstructionWorks Program For Career Opportunities in Heavy Highway Construction

The Illinois Tollway invited community, workforce development and business leaders to learn more about ConstructionWorks and help spread the word to residents interested in pursuing good paying jobs and ultimately successful careers in the heavy highway construction industry.

In cooperation with The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, the Tollway hosted the first of four fall events at St. Augustine College at Lewis University in Chicago followed by additional events in Rockford, North Riverside and Chicago’s Chatham community area to spread awareness of the program and to help reach a broader base of candidates.

ConstructionWorks is an innovative program that creates a pool of diverse male and female candidates ready to work in a variety of roles, including equipment operators, carpenters and electricians in demand in the heavy highway and related construction industries.

Chatham

North Riverside

Rockford

As seen on TV

St Augustine College

ITS Midwest 2024 Conference And Expo Theme, “Stronger Together – ITS For All,” Emphasizes Collaboration

Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse kicked off the ITS Midwest 2024 Conference and Expo in Rosemont, welcoming attendees and introducing keynote speaker Valerie Briggs, director of Federal Highway Administration Office of Transportation.

The annual ITS Midwest conference brings together ITS professionals from four states—Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—to share successes, best practices and lessons learned. This year's theme, "Stronger Together–ITS for All," encourages collaboration, education and networking to achieve safe, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions for the region.

Family-Owned Construction Business Rises To New Heights With Assistance Of Illinois Tollway Diversity Programs

Luis Vazquez and his wife, Socorro, started Toro Construction Corp. as a side business in 2005 because they wanted to build something together using the experience they had gained from their full-time careers—Luis as a carpenter and Socorro as a legal assistant.

But they continued working their full-time jobs to help make ends meet as they put in extra hours to keep their small, family-owned construction business going.