Illinois Tollway Announces Stakeholder Advisory Team
Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse today announced the creation of a Stakeholder Advisory Team responsible for advising and providing recommendations to the agency as it develops the next capital plan and provide a framework to advance its long-term capital priorities. The next capital plan will build off the successes of the ongoing Move Illinois Capital Program and continue investments in the region.
The SAT is comprised of leaders representing non-profit, civic, business, labor, environmental, transportation and advocacy organizations representing the 12-county region. The SAT members will help the Tollway define program goals, provide guidance and regional input on the scope and impact of the next long-term capital plan.
“The Stakeholder Advisory Team brings together leaders that share our desire to create a historic capital plan that identifies creative and innovative solutions to support the needs of communities across the region,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In order to take full advantage of the experience and capabilities of this advisory team, it is vital that the Tollway listens to a wide range of ideas, elicits feedback, builds support and develops an impactful program with strong regional consensus.”
The SAT will kick off activities this month, as part of the Tollway’s ongoing engagement efforts with internal and external stakeholders.
“As we work with our partners, our board and this SAT committee, together we have a transformative opportunity to further enhance regional mobility and economic opportunities in the next capital plan,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “I am committed to working with our stakeholders to provide forward-thinking solutions as we envision our future, our infrastructure, our investments and our transportation network.”
The SAT will focus on advancing the Governor’s four guiding principles of innovation, equitable economic development, diversity and inclusion and sustainability within the next capital plan. Over the next several months, the SAT will develop a report with a series of recommendations for the next capital plan, alongside continued engagement with the public and other stakeholder groups. The Tollway Board’s Strategic Planning Committee will review the recommendations, select projects and develop a proposed budget for consideration by the full Board.
“We are challenging the SAT to help bring together diverse voices and drive strategic investments in our region’s future,” said Rouse. “Our collective vision provides a transformative opportunity to position the Tollway as a solutions-oriented agency that drives economic growth and builds an equitable region for us all.”
“On behalf of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Tollway Board of Directors, we fully support the efforts by Tollway leadership to engage a wide range of experts, key stakeholders and agency partners to develop the best possible plan to guide the Tollway,” said Scott Paddock, Illinois Tollway Board Member and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. “Our goal is to approve a plan that invests in the future of the region.”
Members of the SAT include:
• Nick Jarmusz, AAA – The Auto Club Group
• Kevin Artl, American Council of Engineering Companies
• Kareem Broughton, Black Contractors United
• Arielle Johnson, Business Leadership Council
• Nina Idemudia, Center for Neighborhood Technology
• George Wright, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
• Robert Reiter, Jr., Chicago Federation of Labor
• Dr. Lisa Bly-Jones, Chicago Jobs Council
• Erin Aleman, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
• Debra Jennings-Johnson, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council
• Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chicago Urban League
• Mike Macellaio, Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council
• Jack Lavin, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
• Rich Gamble, Choose Chicago
• Gil Quiniones, ComEd
• Tom Kotarac, Commercial Club of Chicago
• Dorval Carter, Jr. Chicago Transit Authority
• Dr. Jerry Bell, Jr., Elite SDVOB Network
• Becky Knox, EVBox
• Cindy Gustafson, Federation of Women Contractors
• Ivan Solis, Hispanic American Construction Industry Association
• Megha Lakhchaura, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
• Jaime di Paulo, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Eric Varela, Illinois International Port District
• Mark Denzler, Illinois Manufacturers Association
• Brad Cole, Illinois Municipal League
• Tim Butler, Illinois Railroad Association
• Mike Sturino, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association
• Larry Ivory, Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce
• Matt Hart, Illinois Trucking Association
• Caroline Portlock, Illinois Workforce Partnership
• Dan Seals, Intersect Illinois
• Kevin Considine, Lake County Partners
• Brian Robb, Lion Electric
• Jim Derwinski, Metra
• Chris Conley, Metropolitan Planning Council
• Jill Koski, Morton Arboretum
• Wendell Dallas, Nicor
• Michael Davidson, Openlands
• Melinda Metzger, Pace Suburban Bus
• Leanne Redden, Regional Transportation Authority
• Michael Dunn, Rockford Metropolitan Area Planning Organization
• Dorri McWhorter, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Learn more about the planning process for the next capital plan here.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.