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* Illinois Tollway press release…
Executive Director José Alvarez submitted a letter of resignation effective today and Chairwoman Dorothy Abreu accepted his resignation and thanked him for his service. Since joining the Tollway in 2019, Alvarez helped the Tollway continue to deliver on its $14 billion Move Illinois capital program, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alvarez informed the Board of his decision to step aside to prioritize his family’s needs and to afford the new chairwoman the opportunity to establish new leadership.
* Marni Pyke at the Daily Herald…
The Illinois tollway’s executive director resigned Tuesday, a few weeks after the board chairman departed following a tumultuous 2021 when state senators scrutinized a power struggle at the agency. […]
Alvarez and former Chairman Will Evans were placed on the tollway by incoming Gov. J.B. Pritzker in early 2019 as part of a reform team following the mass exodus of an administration appointed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Concerns about a power struggle between Alvarez and Evans surfaced in 2021 and the state Senate’s Transportation Committee held a hearing on the issue in December.
Evans retired from the tollway on Feb. 18. Alvarez’s last day was Monday, sources said.
Maybe now things can calm the heck down over there.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 10:53 am
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With a massive budget and a magnet for every politically involved company looking for large-scale projects, I don’t think the top of the ladder at that agency will ever be calm.
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 10:57 am
It’s about time
Comment by Drake Mallard Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 11:01 am
Mr. Alvarez is a class act. He was totally blindsided by the ex chair. Best wishes to him.
Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoondom Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 11:04 am
=== Will Evans were placed on the tollway by incoming Gov. J.B. Pritzker in early 2019===
===Evans retired from the tollway on Feb. 18.===
Appointed 2019, retired 2022? He must have more time then 3 years if he got a retirement pension from the tollway?
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 11:12 am
“Maybe now things can calm the heck down over there.”
We hope.
Comment by The Hills 60010 Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 11:36 am
==Mr. Alvarez is a class act.==
Not everyone shares that opinion.
Comment by phocion Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 11:42 am
You will not find very many people inside the building that would agree that either Evans or Alvarez were “class acts”. Hopefully JB can get it right this time… neither of the previous appointments were deserving of what they were given. I think they both managed to prove that.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 11:50 am
At least it’s not being treated as a Friday dump kind of thing.
Today allows discussion, good or bad.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 12:00 pm
I feel sorry for Alvarez he was a victim of political appeasement. Once Evans was gone and deservedly so Alvarez’s future was sealed. No way JB was going to side with one Caucas over the other. This whole mess was created by Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell in his haste to hire political friends instead of competent people. You can hire people you know but make sure they are qualified and Evans never was. Mr Evans stint at peoples gas should have been a warning to what was to come.
Comment by Long time Independent Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 12:32 pm
- Long time Independent -“ No way JB was going to side with one Caucas over the other.”
Ya know, when will this what eventually will be self destructive tribalism ever cease? Makes one want to just retreat and sit on the water and listen to nature waking up. The this is our turf kinds are truly mucking up things for this administration. One of the nicest left that and went back, really went back, into, and hasn’t looked back, private life. Good for them.
Comment by The Hills 60010 Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 1:25 pm
Quinn had the best leadership and laid the groundwork for the program improvements we have today. It can be done.
Comment by ChicagoStrong Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:27 pm
If I was a former staffer at the CHA, and had gotten one of the bloated salaries handed out by Alvarez, I’d think he was pretty wonderful too. But, I’m not, and I never saw evidence that Alvarez could do anything more than spend the Tollway’s money on his friends. Good riddance to him and to Evans.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 2:29 pm
The only time the Tollway escaped corruption and a crisis of confidence in Illinois was after Quinn picked Wolff and Lafleur to run the agency. Two women.
Comment by Me again Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:21 pm
The late Sen. Sandoval blocked the first pick, and a genuinely classy fellow, Gustavo Giraldo.
One day, I went so far as to ask the powerful transportation czar why he chose to wield his mighty sword so decisively. His response:
“Because he never came to see me.”
RIP MAS
Comment by True Story Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:21 pm
Wowzers thanks @ True Story. That was MAS alright.
Comment by Pizza Man Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 3:58 pm
I think Doug Kucia had more to do with the success of the Quinn reign that anyone else. Behind the scenes, he ensured mistakes were not made.
Comment by Chicagostrong Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 4:06 pm
Alvarez was incompetent at CHA and remains consistent in his ability to create chaos wherever he goes. Nothing classy about him-good riddance and good luck to the next poor government agency that gets handy this empty suit
Comment by Chisox Tuesday, Mar 15, 22 @ 8:04 pm
Me Again, echoing your sentiments on the great leadership Wolff and Lafleur showed a few years ago. Would be good to reclaim that. Wonder if Lafleur would consider another stint? I attended some of the board meetings back then— her chief engineer, finance guy and general counsel were also dynamite back then, but I think all have moved on.
Comment by Shaq Wednesday, Mar 16, 22 @ 7:00 am