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Tollway System Lease Draws Political Fire
A Republican candidate for governor is criticizing another candidate's idea on the future of the Illinois Tollway system.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) says Republican opponent Jim Ryan's suggestion to lease the Tollway must be looked at in greater detail before such a move is carried out.

Dillard says any money made off the deal must be used to improve infrastructure on the Tollway system. He says any plan to use that money for social welfare programs or filling the state budget gap would be unfair to those who use and pay for the Tollway every day.

"When you privatize tollways nationally, what has always happened is that tolls skyrocketed," Dillard said. "The privatization of the Tollway, if it's ever to be done, needs to ensure that that money goes to infrastructure, that it does not go to expand welfare or for the general operations of Illinois government."

Ryan, the former Illinois Attorney General, said earlier this week that if elected, he would look at privatizing the Lottery and Tollway as part of his 10-point plan to solve the state's budget crisis.

(Illinois Radio Network)
01 08 10 by Newsroom
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