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Citizens to Dismantle Tollbooths and Eliminate The Tollway Authority

29 November 1999

Group Helps Citizens Take Action to Dismantle the Tollbooths and Eliminate The Tollway Authority

    SUGAR GROVE, Ill., Nov. 29 -- In response to the call by the
Governor to find a way to rid Illinoisans of the unavoidable hassle of
stopping to pay tolls on the often congested, delay-causing "pay-as-you-go"
roadways known as the Illinois State Toll Highway System, a nonprofit
organization will provide Action Kits to those citizens who want to join in
the ever-growing grassroots campaign to convert the tollways into freeways and
to eliminate the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the controversial
agency responsible for overseeing the operations of the 274 miles of toll
roads.
    "As the General Assembly enters its Veto Session within the next month,
citizens can use this Action Kit to help them hold their legislators
accountable to their constituencies," said Russell Johnson, President of No
Tolls, Inc.  "Many motorists are angry that they must continue to stop at
tollbooths and pay tolls when they know that those booths should have been
torn down long ago.  Unfortunately, some citizens don't know who to contact
with these types of concerns.  This kit provides citizens with a simple and
efficient way to contact their elected representatives," Mr. Johnson added.
    Furthermore, the group asserts, as we enter into the primary campaign
season, it is up to the citizens to keep transportation policy -- which should
also include the operation of the tollways -- in the forefront of the issues.
"Governor Ryan has publicly declared that 'the collection of tolls is insane.'
Therefore, we must hold him and our elected officials accountable to the
people of Illinois in carrying out the best transportation and public works
policies for our state," Jeff Barnett, Board Member of the organization, said.
    The free No Tolls Action Kit provides citizens with the names of their
senator and representative, facts supporting the campaign's position, tips on
how to effectively contact their elected officials, preprinted postcards to
send to their representatives requesting that legislation be introduced to
facilitate the dissolution of the Tollway agency and dismantling of the
tollbooths, and a bumper sticker with the contact number of the organization.
No Tolls, Inc. will send the Action Kits, information about the group, and/or
information about the campaign to interested citizens who call the
organization at 630-4NO-TOLLS (466-8655).