Friday, February 03, 2006
Free the Toll Slaves: How Illinois’ Tollways Can Become Freeways
I wrote this Op-Ed piece while I was running as the Libertarian Party nominee for Governor. With Indiana's Republicans following Mayor Richard Daley's privatization of the Chicago Skyway and Democratic Party State Senator Jeff Schoenberg suggesting Illnois rent out its tollway to find highway money, I thought this might be worth reading.
Sure. Things have changed since then.
The Governor has doubled tolls for those who do not use the tollway regularly. The Improved I-PASS lanes have made the tolls like the income tax. People never see the money going out.
Rod Blagojevich has stretched out bonds for decades more. But the two sources of revenue mentioned below still are not returned to the tollway where they logically belong.
To read the rest of the story, click here.
Sure. Things have changed since then.
The Governor has doubled tolls for those who do not use the tollway regularly. The Improved I-PASS lanes have made the tolls like the income tax. People never see the money going out.
Rod Blagojevich has stretched out bonds for decades more. But the two sources of revenue mentioned below still are not returned to the tollway where they logically belong.
“If we don’t raise tolls, I just don’t know what you think we can do.”Is a toll tax hike for northern Illinois so inevitable? It does not have to be.
Arthur Philip, Chairman, Illinois Toll Highway Authority; April 26, 2002.
To read the rest of the story, click here.
