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

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • 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
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • EVENTS
  • Toggle search form
  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place.
    Car crashes into Orland Park post Office accident
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    CLE at Leving firm to focus on conflicts of interest in family law cases Jeffery Leving
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program Frankfort
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Blogger
  • The Orland Fire Protection District hosted its 22nd annual commemoration to honor and remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 during a ceremony at the Fire District
    Orland Firefighters host commemoration to remember victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Events
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels Business
  • Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade Culture
  • Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward, champions rights of Chicago residents
    Ray Lopez leads and champions rights of Chicago residents Chicago
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, 19th Senate District
    Hastings reminds residents to make a plan during National Preparedness Month Features
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare Blogger
  • Photo courtesy of PRIMETIME Sports and SeatGeek Stadium
    SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9 News
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter
    Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor Blogger
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece Blogger
  • Village representatives, led by Mayor Chris Getty, met at 7905 Ogden Avenue on Friday Sept. 1 for the grand opening of Strive Fitness. Pictured is owner Shawn Groll and Village President Christopher Getty
    Mayor Chris Getty and Village officials celebrate opening of Strive Fitness Business
  • OFPD receive International Accredited Agency status. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District OFPD
    Orland Fire Protection District receives the nation’s highest accreditation honor Fire
Road construction concrete pavement worker. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania

Illinois Tollway unveils unprecedented reform agenda

Posted on December 2, 2018November 29, 2019 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Illinois Tollway unveils unprecedented reform agenda
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Loading

Illinois Tollway unveils unprecedented reform agenda

The Illinois Tollway Authority, a $1.4 billion government state agency, unveiled an unprecedented reform program to even the playing field and to brighten sunshine on the authority’s business actions. But instead of focusing on the news, the Arlington Heights Daily Herald and even Crains Chicago Business (are they even still important?) are focusing on the selfish personal war being waged by one of their friends on the ITA board.

By Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania
Opinion columnist راى حنانيا.
Ray Hanania

It’s very rare that a major government agency reforms itself with changes that open the doors to decision making and contract procedures, but that is exactly what the Illinois Tollway Authority has done this week.

The agency, which has a budget of $1.4 billion, has hired and fired under murky terms and cloaks in the past but since naming Liz Gorman, the former Cook County Board taxpayer champion last March, the ITA is taking a new, more open agenda.

That has rankled some of the board like ITA Trustee Joseph Gomez, the senior officer at Byline Bank who has been coordinating attacks against Gorman with a political writer at the Arlington Heights Daily Herald. Gomez is angry because one of his closet friends was dismissed by Gorman and he’s suddenly concerned about “political hiring.”

This week the Tollway board unveiled the unprecedented good government procedures. Instead of covering the rollout, the Daily Herald showcased more Gomez and his attacks against Gorman. Gomez has been censored by the Board for his past conduct, which is described in board documents and memos as having engaged in “verbal abuse” and “harassment” towards employees and staff.

Illinois Tollway roadway courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority
Illinois Tollway roadway courtesy of the Illinois Tollway Authority

Despite the orchestrated obstructionism by the Daily Herald, the Illinois Tollway Authority board unveiled the draft plan urging the members and public to review and provide feedback. The Daily Herald actually patted itself on the back asserting that its one-sided attacks against Gorman and Schillerstrom were, incredulously, the impetus for the plan. It’s not true, but neither is much that the Daily Herald has been writing about the Tollway these days.

Schillerstrom told the board at the meeting Thursday, Nov. 29, that the Tollway is “a well-run, transparent organization” but that nothing is preventing the board and the new executive director from “always look for better ways and better practices” to improve services to the state’s taxpayers.

“We’re recommending 19 changes to increase transparency and strengthen our operations. These include enhancements to our hiring process and conflict of interest policies, as well as recommended changes to both our QBS procurement process and selection committees,” Schillerstrom explained.

The report recommends changes in three areas, procurement, limiting “conflicts,” and hiring.

Schillerstrom showcased several of the key aspects of the changes, most notably:

• Clarify Chief Procurement Officer oversight over Quality Based Selection procurements
• Strengthen conflict of interest disclosures and enhance transparency safeguards
• Enhance the Tollway’s ability to deliver roads through alternate delivery methods that combine elements of both QBS and low-bid
• Enhance conflict of interest clarification and notification for Board members
• Identify conflicts and strengthen the Tollway hiring process for exempt employees

The new regulations were spelled out in detail and include “sunshine” procedures that protect taxpayers and the integrity of the Tollway’s commitment to public service.

The reforms were roundly applauded by everyone in the transportation industry, except for the Daily Herald’s transportation writer Marni Pyke who instead continued to advocate her personal crusade for her friend, Joe Gomez, a senior vice president at Byline Bank and ITA board member.

Gomez has been criticized by the board for his conduct in letters and memos documenting his abuses of other board members and staff. The letters and memo were issued in May 2018 by Schillerstrom. They were later released after they were FOIA’d by the Chicago Tribune. Gomez is said in the documents to have engaged in “verbal abuse” and “harassment” towards employees and staff.

But not even Pyke’s continued opinionated “news reports” could derail the Tollway’s reforms.

“This is a comprehensive and informative report creating a solid roadmap towards strengthening the Illinois Tollway’s operations and accountability,” said Illinois Senator Martin Sandoval who chairs the state’s transportation committee.

“Chairman Schillerstrom should be commended for bringing these complex issues into a public forum and addressing potential issues in a transparent and proactive manner.”

John Njord, former Utah Department of Transportation Secretary said, “I would say the rest of the country could probably learn something from what you’re doing here.”

Gorman explained, “Some of these recommendations can be accomplished through our own internal Standard Operating Procedures, and others will require legislative or full board approval.”

In anticipation of approval, Gorman said, the ITA is asking staff to develop a plan for implementation of these recommendations and present those recommendations to the board at its January meeting.

Here are the detailed changes proposed in the reform plan unveiled by Schillerstrom, Gorman and the board that you won’t be able to find in either the Daily Herald or Crains Chicago Business:

Procurement recommendations:

• Disclose QBS Selection Committee members after the close of a procurement
• Make available contractor and subcontractor conflict of interest disclosure forms
• Procurement letter to State Purchasing Officer (SPO)/Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) requesting reinstatement of oversight on QBS process
• Identify selection committee members in Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) by title or position
• Disallow board members from serving on selection committees within International Standards Organization (ISO) procedure
• Draft legislation to incorporate more alternative design and delivery methods
• Enhance staff conflict of interest procedure for upcoming Professional Services Bulletins (PSB’s), disallow staff with conflicts from serving on QBS selection committees
• Maintain selection results database and provide a summary of prior consultant evaluations
• Modify ISO procedure for both 3100 and 3100B to guide scoping of communications services as related to QBS procurement

Conflicts:

• Provide Board members an extended preview of upcoming contracts with a timely conflict of interest notification for Tollway review
• Draft legislation to provide outside legal and ethical counsel to Board Chairman and members
• Create a conflict of interest committee
• Develop enhanced Tollway Board conflict of interest definitions
• Require Board members to publicly disclose conflicts
• Public posting of Board member statements of economic interest
• Provide annual conflict of interest training to Board members and QBS
• selection committee members
• *Identify and share vendor conflicts vetted by internal or external
• procedures (added after draft report)

Hiring:

• Enhance job descriptions
• Strengthen and enhance standard operating procedure and
• documentation for exempt positions
• Continuation of the annual internal audit of exempt hires
• Create employee conflict of interest questionnaire

In the interest of transparency, Schillerstrom explained, the ITA published a draft of the report on the Tollway’s website at the top of the Board of Directors page, where committee information is traditionally posted. The document can be found by clicking here.

  • 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.  

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 rghanania@gmail.com.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Car crashes into Orland Park post Office - September 22, 2023
  • Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program - September 18, 2023
  • Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund - September 15, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Chicago, Commentary, Editors Pick, General Topics, Government, Opinion, Politics, rayhanania, Suburban Chicagoland, Transportation Tags:Crains Chicago Business, Daily Herald, Illinois Tollway Authority, ITA, Liz Gorman, media bias, politics, reforms, Robert Schillerstrom

Post navigation

Previous Post: Red Robin in Orland Park closed after Carbon Monoxide affects 24 customers
Next Post: Wallet Hub releases list of safest largest cities in America

Related Posts

  • Woman in a berqa (burka) By Hans Braxmeier (pixabay) [CC0 or CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
    Beauty pageants without swimsuits, weather without beautiful women Blogger
  • Nazareth girls tune up News
  • Jim Hickey Campaign election Advertisement. Courtesy of Jim Hickey
    Jim Hickey seeks re-election to Orland Fire Protection District elections
  • The White House. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Navarro defends Trump’s Trade policies on CNBC Business
  • 10-11-18 Hanania column Van Dyke China
    No justice in fight against crime in Van Dyke conviction Blogger
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    2022 Illinois Tax Filing Season Begins January 24th Business

More Related Articles

Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com Chicago Wolves glide past the Michigan Griffins Chicago
Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8 Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8 Entertainment
Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Cook County Awards Funding to Four 16th District Public Schools for Renewable Energy Education Initiative Cook County
Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021 Chicago Wolves outshot but lose to the Toronto Marlies  Chicago
Former Lyons trustee Alonzi dies News
Steppenwolf Theater Steppenwolf Theatre Company postpones world premiere of 1919 due to COVID-19 surge Chicago

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund
    September 15, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare
    September 9, 2023
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter
    Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor
    September 6, 2023
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece
    September 3, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions
    August 31, 2023
  • Statue of Liberty. Photo courtesy of Fabian Fauth on Unsplash
    America weakened by bullying, hatred and media hypocrisy
    August 24, 2023

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place. Car crashes into Orland P... Car crashes into Orland Park post Office At approximately 1:49 PM on Thursd... posted on September 22, 2023
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter Veteran Diana Howard cour... Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor By Ra... posted on September 6, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon Hastings urges residents... Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State... posted on September 18, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon Commissioner Monica Gordo... Commissioner Monica Gordon Announces Advisory Council to Address Violence P... posted on August 27, 2023
  • Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez courtesy of Twitter Chicago Aldermen set to r... Chicago Aldermen set to reestablish limits to Welcoming City Ordinance  Fol... posted on August 28, 2023
  • NEWS
  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place.
    Car crashes into Orland Park post Office
    September 22, 2023
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    CLE at Leving firm to focus on conflicts of interest in family law cases
    September 19, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program
    September 18, 2023
  • The Orland Fire Protection District hosted its 22nd annual commemoration to honor and remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 during a ceremony at the Fire District
    Orland Firefighters host commemoration to remember victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
    September 13, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    September 13, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Orland Fire Protection District acquires 6 Stryker Xpedition Powered Stair Chairs to more easily and safely rescue victims in emergencies
    Orland Fire District utilizes new technology to increase emergency victim safety
    August 20, 2023
  • Suspect Alisa Velcu charged in Verion Store theft July 26, 2023 in Bloomington, Illinois. Mugshot supplied by the DuPage County State's Attorney
    Bond Set for Two Women Charged with Robbing Bloomingdale Verizon Wireless Store
    July 26, 2023
  • The Village of Orland Hills, Mayor Kyle Hastings State Senator Michael Hastings and Orland Township Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino are partnering to host a Free "Shred and E-Recycling" day for families to be held Saturday August 26, 2023.
    Orland Hills to host “Shred and E-Recycling Day” Saturday August 26, 2023
    July 18, 2023

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

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.

Ziyad Brothers Ad Taste of Middle East

Events

  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols hosts Open House Sept. 30, 2023
    State Rep. Cyril Nichols hosts Open House Sept. 30, 2023
    30 Sep 23
    Ford City Shopping Mall, Chicago
  • Rubino and Hastings host Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Oct. 14
    Rubino and Hastings host Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Oct. 14
    14 Oct 23
    Orland Park
  • United Citizens Party hosts annual Fundraiser Oct. 21, 2023
    United Citizens Party hosts annual Fundraiser Oct. 21, 2023
    21 Oct 23
    Countryside

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Photo courtesy of PRIMETIME Sports and SeatGeek Stadium
    SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9
    September 8, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Senator Michael Hasting ensures degraded former Tinley Park Mental Health Center to be revitalized into a sports park in new law
    May 24, 2023
  • Michael Schofield III Sports Complex, Orland Park. Scoreboard
    Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation Sponsor Park Redevelopment
    May 23, 2023
  • Chicago Hounds rugby at Seat Geek Stadium July 8, 2023
    Chicago Hounds rugby announce plans for Dawg Town block party
    May 11, 2023
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    CLE at Leving firm to focus on conflicts of interest in family law cases
    September 19, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program
    September 18, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    September 13, 2023
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, 19th Senate District
    Hastings reminds residents to make a plan during National Preparedness Month
    September 11, 2023
John Kass Columns

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

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • Village representatives, led by Mayor Chris Getty, met at 7905 Ogden Avenue on Friday Sept. 1 for the grand opening of Strive Fitness. Pictured is owner Shawn Groll and Village President Christopher Getty
    Mayor Chris Getty and Village officials celebrate opening of Strive Fitness
    September 1, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Financial ratings agency raises rating for Lyons Township Government
    August 25, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Measure by State Senator Michael Hastings to secure the South Suburban Airport now law
    July 28, 2023

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme