(The Center Square) – The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority is being asked to explain a costly mistake to taxpayers.
State Rep. Tom Weber, R-Fox lake, said a report from The Daily Herald highlights how a contract for tollway construction west of Chicago went to the wrong company. Weber said the work agreement on the I-88, I-290 and I-294 interchange was given to a company from out of state, even though state law gives preference to Illinois companies bidding up to 4% higher.
“The new contractor came in who, because of our 4% Illinois preference law, that was the mistake that was made,” Weber said.
The tollway agency realized the error and switched to the Illinois company after work on the project began, resulting in higher labor expenses and legal costs, Weber said.
Weber said the initial contractor received a $25 million legal settlement: $15 million for work performed and $10 million in damages.
According to Weber, the Illinois contractor’s bid was $3.1 million higher than the out-of-state contractor. Weber said the new contractor is getting an additional $16.5 million to finish the job by the July, 2027 deadline.
“When you add this mistake of awarding the wrong contractor the contract, pulling them off and putting someone else in, the total adds up to $44.6 million more than the initial contract,” Weber said.
Speaking on the floor of the Illinois House, Weber asked for an explanation.
“I would hope that the tollway authority or the director or someone, I would invite them to please come to Transportation Committee and explain exactly how taxpayers just got a bill for $44.6 million more than the initial contract,” Weber said.
In a statement to The Center Square, an Illinois State Toll Highway Authority spokesman said that the work performed by the initial contractor included about $15 million for construction already performed, which the agency would have been required to pay even if the contract had been retained.
“The total amount of additional costs paid by the Tollway regarding this contract amounts to nearly $27 million,” the statement said.
The mistake comes as state lawmakers finalize budget discussions in the final weeks of the spring legislative session. Transportation is a major focus as regional public transit agencies face an estimated $770 million fiscal cliff.
State Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said last month that Illinois needs a $1.5 billion revenue stream to create the type of mass transit system people want.
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that it is asking the public to provide feedback on the state’s transportation system and the agency’s overall performance by taking its annual Traveler Opinion Survey. Conducted through May 30, the survey is available online at idot.illinois.gov.
