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
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again Blogger
  • 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
Column published in The Regional News Newspaper August 23, 2018.

Tollway Chairman slams board members’ bullying

Posted on August 23, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania 1 Comment on Tollway Chairman slams board members’ bullying
SHARE THIS STORY
383           
 
  
383
Shares

Tollway Chairman slams board members’ bullying

The Chairman of the Illinois Tollway Authority released copies of a letter and memos critical of Tollway board member Joseph “Joe” Gomez who has been accused of bullying and using inappropriate language in addressing Tollway employees. Gomez denies the claims but the letters offer specific details about incidents and events surrounding the $31,000-a-year board member’s conduct

By Ray Hanania

The worst thing a public servant can do is feed allegations to the news media to embarrass his agency because someone at the agency lost his job. That’s what seems to be happening at the $1.4 billion Illinois Tollway Authority which oversees state roads.

Board member Joe Gomez is under siege, in part because he’s clearly angry the Tollway dismissed a friend. Suddenly, narrowly focused stories critical of the Tollway’s hiring started to appear in a local newspaper.

Wow, a government agency hires relatives of government officials? Unheard of! Not really. It happens all the time at every level in every government, and it also happens in the media and private industry, too. People hire qualified people they can trust.

When Gomez left an April 26 board meeting to speak with a sympathetic reporter at the Arlington Heights Daily Herald in the hallway, a Tollway’s communications employee followed — it’s his job, not Gomez’s, to speak to the media.

Column published in The Regional News Newspaper August 23, 2018.
Column published in The Regional News Newspaper August 23, 2018.

That’s when Gomez allegedly went off the hinge, screaming and yelling at the Tollway employee, according to officials. The Daily Herald twisted the story, alleging it was Gomez who was being “bullied.” Mud-slinging against the Tollway reached a crescendo at the Herald last month, prompting a response.

In letters and memos released by Illinois Tollway Authority Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom this week, that were originally FOIA’d by the Chicago Tribune, Gomez is said to have engaged in “verbal abuse” and “harassment” towards employees and staff.

Click here to view the PDF of the full letter/memos.

Schillerstrom, who is highly regarded, said Gomez directed profanity at a Tollway communications employee who followed him out of the board meeting. Gomez allegedly “ordered” the employee, Daniel Rozek, to leave the hallway as Gomez and the Daily Herald reporter spoke.

Gomez has also shown hostility towards the Tollway’s new executive director, Liz Gorman, who is one of the region’s most taxpayer-attentive state public servants. Gomez attacked her publicly but claimed he’s the victim and has never spoked with her since he voted to hire her and give her a raise.

“As Chairman of the Toll Highway Authority, it is my obligation to take steps to ensure that all Directors comport themselves in a professional manner at all times and with all individuals, particularly Tollway employees,” Schillerstrom wrote in a letter to Gomez on May 22, 2018 released by the Tollway Authority on August 15, 2018.

“I have become aware of two separate instances where your conduct with two senior Tollway staff members, as reported, could be deemed verbal abuse or harassment, as that conduct is described in the provisions of the Tollway Policies and Procedures Manual.”

Tollway bio: Director Joseph Gomez is currently the senior vice president of Byline Bank, where he oversees business development. Prior to that, he worked for the state of Illinois in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's Bureau of Banking. He was the Chicago bank managing director. He has also worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce as a financial consultant, helping develop the department's globalization program in China, Latin America and Canada. Director Gomez has also served on the Illinois Development Finance Authority under Governors James R. Thompson and Jim Edgar. Director Gomez earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University.
Tollway bio: Director Joseph Gomez is currently the senior vice president of Byline Bank, where he oversees business development. Prior to that, he worked for the state of Illinois in the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s Bureau of Banking. He was the Chicago bank managing director. He has also worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce as a financial consultant, helping develop the department’s globalization program in China, Latin America and Canada. Director Gomez has also served on the Illinois Development Finance Authority under Governors James R. Thompson and Jim Edgar. Director Gomez earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University.

 

Schillerstrom mentioned a second incident in which Gomez made calls to another staff member and to Gorman that he described as “threatening in nature.” Gorman told the media last month Gomez had “a history of erratic behavior, violent outbursts and threats to tollway staff.” Schillerstrom said the conduct was “in direct contravention” of Tollway policies.

Gorman is a very popular former public servant who championed taxpayer rights while a Cook County Commissioner. She singlehandedly blocked Todd Stroger’s one-cent sales tax hike. Gorman, the synonym of “good government,” is exactly what the Tollway needs.

In a May 22 Memo, Schillerstrom reminded all board members to observe courtesy in their positions and avoid “general harassment” or “verbal or physical conduct that rises above the level of a personality conflict that denigrates or show hostility or aversion” that creates an “intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.” He said board member should not interfere with any individual’s work performance.

These issues are not easy to resolve. While Rauner appoints, the Illinois Senate confirms board members. It is unheard of for a state board appointee to be forcibly removed.

Gorman has said she feels “threatened” by Gomez, who denied the claims saying he never met her, but he doesn’t hesitate to criticize her more.

Gomez denied abuse claims, acknowledged a friendship with the Daily Herald reporter and expressed anger over the employee’s dismissal. I met Gomez years ago when he advocated giving contracts and jobs to Hispanic firms. He reminded me of that “friendship” but declined to go on the record.

But that doesn’t give Gomez the right to attack Gorman or turn board matters into a personal agenda. If Gomez leaked info to the Daily Herald to embarrass the Tollway and can’t find another way to address public issues without yelling at others, that’s a disservice to taxpayers and he should quit.

(Ray Hanania is an award-winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and political columnist. Reach him on his website at www.Hanania.com or email him at [email protected]. This column was originally published in the Southwest News Newspaper Group including in The Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, The Des Plaines Valley News and the Southwest News-Herald.)

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Father’s Fight to Protect his Abused and Badly Beaten Daughters - October 9, 2025
  • 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
NPV: 44
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
383           
 
  
383
Shares
 
383
Shares
 
 
 383         
Blogger, Commentary, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Transportation Tags:Arlington Heights Daily Herald, bullying, Illinois Tollway Authority, Joe Gomez, Joseph Gomez, Letter to Gomez, Liz Gorman, Memos to Board members, Robert Schillerstrom

Post navigation

Previous Post: Getting bored by the empty void of streaming TV
Next Post: Lipinski directs major grant to MVCC

Related Posts

  • USPS headquarters at Lenfant Plaza courtesy of Wikipedia
    US Post Office failing to do its job Blogger
  • Congressman Sean Casten
    Casten announces endorsements from 40+ local elected officials and community leaders Cook County
  • Photo by Soheb Zaidi courtesy of Unsplash at https://unsplash.com
    Expat’s Guide to the Best Golf Courses in Chicagoland Blogger
  • Jean Metzler with her daughter, Michelle. The two arrived at Orland Township to donate 146 crocheted winter hats for children in need as part of Orland Township’s 2021 Holiday Program. (Alexandria Shipyor | Orland Township)
    Orland Township’s Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness Features
  • Lyons Fire Department 125th Anniversary Firefighter Memorial Dedication. Our Fire Department works around the clock to ensure the safety of our community and we are grateful for their service. A special thank you to Fire Chief Gordon Nord Jr., Mayor Christopher Getty, and Village Manager Thomas Sheahan for their hard work in making this ceremony memorable.
    Village of Lyons dedicates new Firefighter memorial Fire
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Aguilar hosted Health Fair for 16th Cook County District Chicago

More Related Articles

State Senator Martin Sandoval is sworn in to a 6th term surrounded by his family Sandoval takes oath of office for sixth term Government
Closure sign placed by a Task Force of Police and Inspectors harassing Arab American owned businesses in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Attack crime, not Arabs, Mayor Lightfoot Blogger
George Hanania in U.S. Army uniform. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Remembering our fathers and the past Blogger
Palos Township Trustee Sharon Brannigan Protests against “racism” must be effective and civil Blogger
2017-2018 Village of Orland Park sticker showing support for Police that has been criticized by extremists who blame all police for the crimes committed by a few. It’s our obligation, not politics, to support our Police Crime
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Here’s why your tax bill tells you about government debt and pensions Blogger

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 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
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