Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters Dads' Rights
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations Illinois Legislature
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz” Crime
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs Business
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago Cook County
  • On Saturday, October 4th, Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar hosted the Fifth Annual 16th District Dia de los Muertos Resource Fair at his district office. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were the Village of Lyons, Lyons School District 103, Teamsters Local 777, and Rincon Family Services.
    Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar Hosts Fifth Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Resource Fair  Cook County
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    Jesse Jackson Jr. Launches Candidacy for Congress Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to Celebrate Diwali by Recognizing Indian Community Leaders Cook County
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Statement of US Attorney Andrew S. Boutros and Federal Law Enforcement Leadership in Chicago on Ongoing Criminal Immigration Enforcement Operations Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Property Taxes Cook County
  • Road construction cement truck. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Hastings: $123 million in IDOT projects will improve South Suburban roads through collaboration with local leaders construction
  • Source: Electric Power Monthly - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
    Ratepayers will lose in the rush to approve battery storage electricity legislation in Springfield Business
  • Joyful reunion photo courtesy of Jeffery M. Leving & Assc law firm
    Leving Team Prevented a Father’s Wrongful Separation from His Child Dads' Rights
  • CTF Illinois Orland Park, 18230 Orland Pkwy, Orland Park, IL 60467
    Hastings, Giannoulias announce opening of temporary driver services facility in Orland Park Baby Boomers
  • Emagine Theater Pink popcorn
    Popcorn with a purpose: Emagine Theatres brings back Pink Caramel Corn to support Pink Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month Business

Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell

Posted on December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Stevenson toll lanes a tough sell

Public leery of IDOT proposal to add two pay lanes

By Steve Metsch

Judging by the reaction of folks who attended a public meeting last week about a proposal to install toll lanes on the Stevenson Expressway, the Illinois Department of Transportation has a lot of convincing to do.

The proposal would add two toll lanes to the inbound and outbound Stevenson, from Interstate 294 to the Dan Ryan Expressway, as a way to ease heavy congestion. According to IDOT, the Stevenson has 12 hours of congestion and four crashes daily.

The toll amount is yet to be determined. One toll lane in each direction on the Stevenson, or Interstate 55, has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration from I-294 to Interstate 355. The traffic volume, IDOT says, is 180,000 vehicles per day on the 25 miles between the Dan Ryan and I-355.

The thinking is that those willing to pay a toll to drive on the Stevenson will use the two lanes, both nearest the median, and free up some space on the three free lanes that would be heading in either direction.

 
Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez has his doubts that toll lanes proposed by IDOT for the Stevenson Expressway would succeed. (Photo by Steve Metsch)
Some of those at a recents meeting at Toyota Park in Bridgeview nodded or shook their heads when talking with IDOT representatives or reviewing maps. Others? Not so quiet.

Bob Granstaff, of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood, shook his head and grimaced when watching an IDOT video touting the plan. Later, when he reviewed more information on display, he was not pleased.

“They want more money out of us. They want to add more lanes? That’s fine. But they’ll be charging us tolls and they don’t even know how much the tolls will be. I was told it may depend on the time of day. Will they charge more in rush hour?” Granstaff, 55, said.

He formerly drove the Stevenson daily to and from a job in Romeoville.

“I know the Stevenson, but to do this is a money grab,” Granstaff said.

IDOT would use electronic readers of transponders to make sure people are charged for the toll lanes. Those without the transponders would be billed later, just like today when you skip a toll booth.

“This is a cluster screw-up. If they open it up, that would be perfect. Why have a toll? And how are they going to pay for this? The state is broke. Broke. And we’re going to do this? This is stupid,” Granstaff said.

He rolled his eyes when asked about the videotaped message that says toll lane users are guaranteed to go 45 mph. “What’s going to happen when it snows?” he asked.

He later got into a friendly, and sometimes heated, debate with IDOT project manager Steve Schilke about the merits of adding toll lanes to the Stevenson Expressway.

Adding two more free lanes in each direction would not best address the problem, Schilke said.

“We want to have options. We want to move the most people through the corridor,” he said.

Granstaff disagreed, saying “the Stevenson isn’t that bad. It has gaps. It has congestion. This isn’t necessary. This is another way for the state to take money from our hands.”

Schilke countered that drivers would not be forced to drive the toll lanes, that it would be their choice.

“I’ve been here since First Avenue was a dirt road. This is not necessary,” Granstaff said.

A bemused Jim Zilinsky, of Crest Hill, watched their exchange.

“When the toll booths came out in the ‘50s, I read they’d be gone in 20 years. Now they’re popping up everywhere because it’s a money maker. What I see as trouble is someone will pop in there from the free lanes and right before the toll, is going to come out. I can see accidents happening,” Zilinski said.

The stretch in question is about 14 miles long, officials said. The estimated construction cost is about $700 million, Schilke said.

“We know this is a highly congested corridor. We know there are needs out here. It needs to be addressed. We asked how we can best address the needs, what is the best solution? The best is to have two (toll) lanes in each direction,” he said.

A public-private partnership may pay for the project, he said. Or the Illinois Tollway may be involved. Or it may be a combination.

Summit Mayor Sergio Rodriguez isn’t sold on the toll lanes: “I see people abusing those lanes if they don’t block them off.”

Rodriguez envisions motorists sneaking into the toll lanes and then back into the free lanes.

That would be combatted with cameras that take photos of license plates on offending vehicles, Schilke said. “Then you’d get a violation notice. It would take a couple of times for people to learn (not to do that),” Schilke said.

Even if the toll lanes are added, Zilinski thinks eventually we’ll have the same old congestion problems again on the Stevenson. “It’s going to get crowded again. People find the new lanes.”

Rodriguez said more lanes “will lead to more people driving until they change habits and we have more people using public transportation like buses or the Metra. What will we have one day, a seven-lane highway?”

IDOT invites people to send comments to www.155managedlaneproject.org.

— Desplaines Valley News

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
NPV: 36
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News Tags:IDOT, Mayor Sergio Rordriguez, Stevenson Expressway, toll lanes

Post navigation

Previous Post: DeYoung rocks Star Plaza
Next Post: $400,000 to remove a football field?

Related Posts

  • Francisco Martinez displaying handgun while robbing the bank. Francisco Martinez entered a First Midwest Bank branch in Round Lake, Ill., on Dec. 20, 2021, and handed the teller a folded piece of paper that read, “40k, 30 seconds, no tricks, go now.” 
    Federal Jury in Chicago convicts man of robbing bank in Lake County, Ill. Crime
  • Waiting is over for Daly News
  • J. Sterling Morton District 201 Serves Over 50,000 Meals Since Shutdown Cook County
  • the second annual Stagg High School Vocational Fair featured Professionals who spent the day on November 7, 2023 discussing their careers with interested students, as well as detailing their career paths and available training. Photo courtesy of Stagg High school and District 230
    Stagg High School hosts massive Vocational Fair Education
  • Ray Hanania column on fighting extremism and media bias, focusing on Bill Lipinski and John Kass
    The fight against extremism in Illinois Blogger
  • Cook County Commissioner Joe Berrios
    Assessor Joseph Berrios returns $1.8 million to schools, municipalities in South and Southwest Cook County Government

More Related Articles

OFPD Open House June 28 2025 Orland Fire Protection District hosts Open House June 28 Education
Congressman Dan Lipinski presents a Senior Volunteer Service Award to Cynthia Salvino, a special events liaison for the Town of Cicero. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero Lipinski hosts 3 events, Town Hall Meeting, Veterans Fair and Senior Fairs Government
The Ben Joravsky show podcast wth Ray Hanania April 5, 2024 Joravsky and Hanania analyze today’s Chicago City Council with the past on podcast Chicago
Northwestern Medicine Opens Multi-Specialty Clinic in Orland Park Neurology, esophageal and hepatology services in one convenient location Northwestern Medicine Opens Multi-Specialty Clinic in Orland Park Baby Boomers
33rd Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, member of the City Council Health and Human Relations Commission. Chicago Health committee urges city to require COVID vaccination card for indoor activities Chicago
Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting. Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves Cook County

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Children of divorce caught in the middle during the holidays
    August 27, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    We Can Help You Understand Your Property Taxes—In Nearly Any Language
    August 8, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Father and two daughters Jeffery M Leving
    Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters
    October 9, 2025
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings announces $75,000 grant for Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park renovations
    October 8, 2025
  • Alleged Member of Chicago Street Gang Charged With Soliciting the Murder of Senior Law Enforcement Official Involved in “Operation Midway Blitz”
    October 8, 2025
  • IIEC Logo
    The Energy Omnibus Bill will increase rates over the rest of this decade as Illinois families and businesses toil under higher utility costs
    October 8, 2025
  • Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Polish hero of the American Revolution. After arriving in America in 1776, Kosciuszko joined the Continental Army. As a skilled engineer, he made significant contributions to the war by designing fortifications for several strategic places such as Philadelphia, West Point, and Saratoga. Kosciuszko later returned to Poland to lead his native military in a 1794 uprising. In Detroit, Courtesy of WIkipedia
    Cook County Treasurer Pappas showcases Polish photographer’s first-ever American exhibit and honors Polish American Heritage Month in Chicago
    October 8, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme