Illinois Tollway Invites Public to Comment on Tentative 2023 Budget
Balanced spending plan allocates more than $1.55 billion in annual revenue and supports more than $1.47 billion for capital program.
The Illinois Tollway introduced a balanced Tentative 2023 Budget with $1.55 billion of revenue today that includes $426.5 million for annual maintenance and operations on the 294-mile system and provides funds to support $1.47 billion in capital spending, including funding for the 12th year of the agency’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.
“Today we are releasing our Tentative 2023 Budget demonstrating the Illinois Tollway’s commitment to customer service and delivery of critical investments into our infrastructure,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “We encourage the public to view the tentative budget and share their comments.”
As part of the Illinois Tollway’s 2023 Budget process, the general public is invited to visit the Illinois Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com to review the Tentative 2023 Budget book or view a recording of the presentation to the board. The public may also attend public hearings on Thursday, November 17, at 9 a.m. at Illinois Tollway headquarters in Downers Grove or at 6 p.m. at Markham Village Hall, 16313 S Kedzie Parkway, Markham.
In addition, written public comments also may be submitted online via the Tollway’s website www.illinoistollway.com, emailed to info@getipass.com or mailed to Communications Department, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515 by November 30.
After the Board of Directors has reviewed the public comments and any changes have been incorporated, a final budget will be presented for approval by the Board at its December meeting.
Tentative 2023 Budget
The Tentative 2023 Budget presented to the Tollway’s Board of Directors outlines a balanced spending plan to support customer service, safety and security, and employee investments to improve efficiency, as well as the implementation of the largest capital program in the agency’s history. The proposed spending plan allocates nearly $1.12 billion for direct funding and debt service on capital investments, as well as $426.5 million for maintenance and operations.
“This Tentative 2023 Budget represents a balanced fiscal plan that allows us to allocate our resources wisely,” said Illinois Tollway Board of Directors Chair Dorothy Abreu. “We are committed to investments in new technology and services that will propel agency efficiencies and improve customer experiences.”
To support Tollway spending, the Tentative 2023 Budget includes a total $1.55 billion in projected revenue, an increase of 1.5 percent over 2022. This includes $1.52 billion from tolls and evasion recovery, including an annual commercial truck toll rate increase initially approved by the Tollway Board in 2008. There is no toll increase planned for passenger vehicles which has not increased since 2012.
The 2023 estimated revenues also include $20 million from investment income and $10 million from concessions and miscellaneous revenue. The Tollway also plans to issue $500 million in new bonds in 2023 to provide funding for capital program investments.
Overall, the Tentative 2023 Budget includes $426.5 million for Maintenance and Operations to support activities and services that focus on the Illinois Tollway’s customers. This includes Information Technology budget of $40.7 million which includes $6.6 million in support of new software to modernize processes, $94.3 million for State Police, Roadway Maintenance and Security and Safety services, as well as $99.3 million for Operations and Business Systems departments to provide customer services support and enhancements.
The Tentative 2023 Budget also supports the Tollway’s 2023 Capital Program that calls for investing $1.47 billion in 2023 with $314.8 million budgeted for systemwide roadway and bridge repairs to keep the existing Tollway system in good repair, as well as along with funding for key projects including:
- $615.3 million to continue design and reconstruction work for the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project.
- $506.3 million to continue planning and construction for the new I-490 Tollway and new interchanges connecting to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway, as well as providing direct access in and out of O’Hare International Airport as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.
About Move Illinois
The Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program is improving mobility, relieving congestion, reducing pollution, creating as many as 152,000 jobs and linking economies throughout the region. The first 11 years of Move Illinois are on schedule and within budget, delivering the new Illinois Route 390 Tollway and a rebuilt and widened Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) with its new SmartRoad corridor, as well as a completed interchange connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-57. Progress continues on projects addressing the remaining needs of the existing Tollway system, delivering the new I-490 Tollway Project and reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).
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.