SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois House has approved a measure that would allow the incoming governor to replace the members of the Illinois Tollway board.
The House voted 100-6 Tuesday to allow Democratic Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker to abolish the terms of the board that oversees 294 miles (473 kilometers) of tolled interstate highway in northeastern Illinois. News reports have detailed questionable spending and contracting in the past 18 months by the board.
Critics complained that replacing the board would delay the Tollway’s construction work scheduled for this spring. Wheaton Republican Rep. Jeanne Ives called the legislation a political ploy because a majority of board members’ terms will expire by May.
The legislation is sponsored by Chicago Democratic Rep. Christian Mitchell. Mitchell will be deputy governor under Pritzker after Pritzker is inaugurated Monday.
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