McHenry County Blog

Below is State Senator Kirk Dillard's press release this week on the possible raiding of the Tollway to pay operating expenses of state government:

DILLARD WARNS SUBURBANITES: BLAGOJEVICH LOOKING TO RAID SUBURBAN WALLETS

Hinsdale, IL – Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) today warned suburbanites that rumored deals being cut in the backrooms of the State Capitol in Springfield could be disastrous for area motorists.

Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Administration, already under federal investigation for corruption in handling public money at the Illinois Tollway, is reportedly considering leasing the Tollway System and getting their hands on billions of dollars from suburbanites’ wallets.

“Suburbanites should be outraged that decades of their nickels and dimes might be used to bail out the Chicago public schools, especially since not one mile of the Tollway System runs through the City of Chicago,” Dillard said.

“The last thing suburbanites should want is for this Governor to get his hands on Fort Knox,” Dillard said.

Dillard said suburbanites should be leery of any Fiscal Year 07 last-minute budget deal brokered by Blagojevich that opens the door to privatization of the Tollway.

“The idea could have merit, but it should be explored in a thorough process that includes world-class economists, transportation experts and suburban leaders,” Dillard said. “It should not be done by an Administration that is already under investigation for how they handled public money at the Tollway.”

Republicans have been excluded from the budget process by the Democrat Governor and his two Chicago allies, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones, Jr.

“If they cut a deal on the Tollway now – or in a post-election surprise – it was clearly done in order to pay the ransom to keep a candidate out of the Governor’s race. And it means this Administration is going to use suburbanites’ money as Rod Blagojevich’s piggy bank.”

Dillard said the Democrat majority’s track record gives credence to the rumored deals. “They have demonstrated their willingness to raid public pensions and other dedicated funds. I suspect they would be willing to raid the Tollway.

“It is a decision that could impact suburban residents and communities for decades. It is a decision that should not be made by Blagojevich and his lobbyist friends in a backroom, as a quick fix to keep someone out of the Governor’s race or to bail out the City of Chicago’s budget.”