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* Marni Pyke at the Daily Herald…
It’s one thing for new CEOs to bring in their own teams. But recruiting five former co-workers for top positions at the Illinois tollway and paying them nearly $900,000 a year, collectively?
“It seems excessive,” said Republican state Rep. David McSweeney, a budget hawk.
Since the summer, tollway Executive Director José Alvarez, the former chief operating officer at the Chicago Housing Authority, has hired five former colleagues for two existing and three newly created positions. […]
“I, too, have noticed some interesting hiring practices,” said Democratic Sen. Laura Murphy of Des Plaines, who prompted a hearing on tollway procurement policies in 2018.
“We are in the process of coordinating a meeting so I can talk to the tollway. I look forward to hearing their explanation and reviewing the (hiring) process they use,” Murphy said.
According to Marni’s article, the three new positions Alvarez created are chief procurement and compliance officer, chief of contract services and chief of compliance.
* In other tollway-related news, the lede of this story doesn’t match the reality…
Autobon AI, a technology company based in Lisle, Illinois, has begun testing its self-driving semi truck on the Illinois Tollway.
After undergoing months of testing on the Chicagoland Speedway track in Joliet, the truck is now operating on the road as a result of the permission and cooperation of the Illinois Tollway. A driver will be behind the wheel at all times during testing.
“The driver still has full control,” according to Krystian Gebis, the co-founder and chief executive of Autobon AI, via The Register-Mail. […]
According to Gebis, the company’s autonomous technology is not designed to replace truck drivers. Instead, it is designed to help make truck driving less difficult and safer.
…Adding… The truck was tested at Chicagoland Speedway and a member of the Tollway board is president of the track…
Director [Scott] Paddock has more than 20 years of industry experience in sales, marketing and general management. Since 2011, he has served as the president of the Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway, the largest sports facility in the state of Illinois.
* Related…
* Illinois Tollway approves $1.54 billion budget for 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 1:35 pm
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That’s creative, move a team of political hires from one dumping ground (Chicago Housing Authority) to another (Illinois Tollway).
I hope the Pritzker administration reverses this optically awful maneuver.
Comment by Anon 1:45 Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 1:45 pm
If there is a Chief of Procurement and Compliance, why do you need another Chief of Compliance?
Comment by Chicagonk Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 1:52 pm
Why does the state need 1,600 people including 41 people making more than $11,000.00 a month, to operate a couple toll roads.
Merge this with IDOT (Division of Toll Roads) and call it a day.
Comment by Merica Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 1:54 pm
Marni’s a jewel; with Wronski gone from the Trib, we’re lucky the DH still devotes a reporter to transportation issues.
Comment by DIstant watcher Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:01 pm
== If there is a Chief of Procurement and Compliance, why do you need another Chief of Compliance?==
Why, to make sure the Chief of Procurement and Compliance is compliant, of course. But now we’re also going to need a Chief of Compliance Compliance.
Comment by fs Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:04 pm
If there is a Chief of Procurement and “Compliance, why do you need another Chief of Compliance?”
Need someone to check the checker.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:11 pm
Is this what some people call the swamp?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:17 pm
Maybe because the new mayor wants to fill the cha slots ?
Comment by NoGifts Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:31 pm
I get it if it were one or two, but five seems a bit of a stretch. That’s one yes”man” approving your suit each day of the week.
Comment by the Edge Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:42 pm
Remember: “Tollway is only going to be temporary” as promised in the 70’s and under G. Ryan….???
Comment by Billy Sunday Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:46 pm
Billy Sunday -
What would replace the fares to maintain the roads? 1970s? Wasn’t that when the snake oil about the Lottery and Education Funding was peddled?
Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 2:56 pm
Not sure why Governor Pritzker would be okay with the Tollway becoming a dumping ground for CHA staffers, replete with very large pay increases? Not sure this would be the way to go when you are pushing a major tax increase next year.
Comment by Teve Demotte Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 3:13 pm
Wasn’t the tollway board restructured because of this very problem supposedly? Is J.B. going to restructure it again or is it ok when it’s the Dems who do all the hiring.
Comment by Long Time R Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 3:14 pm
Agency Directors across the state are asking for raises today, and trying to find Tollway jobs if they can’t get one.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 4:03 pm
I think the tollway idea dates back to when Stevenson 2 was governor of Illinois.
This new Tollway team seems a lot like all the other Tollway Teams.
Comment by Back to the Future Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 4:04 pm
=A driver will be behind the wheel at all times during testing.=
Wouldn’t there need to be a legislative change to allow a true autonomous vehicle in IL?
Comment by {Sigh} Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 4:14 pm
If they’re paying 900k annually, I think they might need me to help ensure that their compliance officers are in compliance. I see you @fs
Comment by Commissar Gritty Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 4:15 pm
The Chief of Procurement and Compliance is an added level on top of the other two. They in turn have brought in at least 3 others in new positions. And a new position was created for the acting chief of administration to move into to open up the position for the new chief of administration.
Comment by Anon Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 6:21 pm
Just remember these abuses when it comes time to vote for the unfair tax.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 7:10 pm
Keep digging Marni. Sounds like there’s more to the story.
Comment by IT Guy Monday, Dec 9, 19 @ 7:15 pm