Illiana bill on Gov. Quinn's desk
Illinois governor now has 60 days to decide; he's expected to sign it
By Dan Carden -
dan.carden@nwi.com, (317) 637-9078 | Posted: Saturday, June 5, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS | The end of the beginning of the Illiana Expressway is nearly at hand.
On Friday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn formally received legislation allowing the proposed bistate highway to be built as a public-private partnership.
Quinn has 60 days to decide whether to sign Illinois Senate Bill 3659 into law. He is expected to do so.
The Illinois General Assembly approved the public-private partnership measure in early May. Gov. Mitch Daniels signed a similar Indiana proposal into law in March.
As both Illinois and Indiana lack state funds to build the proposed highway connecting Interstate 65 in south Lake County with Interstate 55 near Joliet, Ill., lawmakers in both states say a public-private partnership is the most feasible way to make the long-desired road a reality.
Under that system, each state would own the land underneath its portion of the highway while a private developer constructs and operates the road. The operator would be allowed to charge tolls for use of the highway.
A spokeswoman for Quinn said governor's office staffers are reviewing the legislation before the governor signs it.
Quinn endorsed a privately run expressway in a statement to The Times in February and told a Chicago Heights audience last November the highway would boost economic development.
Following legislative approval in Illinois, state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights, suggested officials from both states meet on the state line for a signing ceremony.
Quinn's spokeswoman said no signing ceremony has been planned yet.
Once the measure is signed, Daniels said Indiana and Illinois should establish a bistate commission to begin the process of finding potential developers and operators for the Illiana Expressway.
Depending on the route selected, the project is estimated to cost $1 billion. Officials in both states predict thousands of permanent new jobs will be created due to the expressway.