Duckworth: Roskam's Concern Should Extend to Tollway Users

Duckworth: Roskam's Concern Should Extend To Tollway Users
Drivers Paying More For Gas Shouldn't Have To Pay More In Tolls

Sixth Congressional District candidate Tammy Duckworth said today that in addressing potential privatization of the Illinois tollway, state Senator Peter Roskam ignored the critical issue of how much tollway users would potentially pay.

Citing the experience of other Illinois commuters who experienced huge toll increases after privatization plans were carried out, Duckworth said that the "number one priority should be keeping tolls in check."

"At a time when drivers are being forced to pay thousands more per year at the gas pump, they shouldn't be forced to pay more at the toll booth, too," she said.

She cited the fact that when the City of Chicago privatized the Skyway, the tolls paid by its users skyrocketed. It is estimated that within about a decade, the tolls paid by Skyway drivers will have doubled from their levels at the time of the sale—up to $5.00 from the original $2.50. Likewise, drivers in Indiana are expected to see increases beginning in 2009 under their new tollway privatization plan.

Duckworth said that it was appropriate to take steps to ensure that the proceeds that arise from any sale of the Tollway truly benefit those Illinoisans— in this case, suburban commuters-- who have paid for the Tollway's maintenance.

"I agree that suburban areas should get the lion's share of any proceeds. But those of us who drive the Tollway every day are more concerned about how much we'll be paying at the toll plaza," she said.

"As befits a professional politician, Senator Roskam's first and only concern seems to be who will control the proceeds if the Tollway is sold to a private company," Duckworth said. "The first priority in any potential Tollway privatization must be to protect Tollway users."

Duckworth cited her own experience commuting between the suburbs as evidence of how costs can add up—and how suburban drivers would be impacted by any toll hike. For example, when she worked at Rotary International's world headquarters, prior to her deployment to Iraq, her commute from the western suburbs required her to pay three sets of tolls each way.

"I have a real-life familiarity with this issue that comes from driving these roads each and every workday for years," she said.

She added: "Despite Peter Roskam's dozen years in the state legislature, we're no closer to realizing the original promise that the Tollways eventually would be turned into freeways."

"The least Roskam can do now is to stop our tolls from going higher," Duckworth said. "His failure to address the potential of rising tolls under privatization is like ignoring a giant pothole up ahead."

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