CHICAGO — A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago ruled Tuesday that the federal government’s approval of the proposed Illiana Tollway linking northern Illinois and Indiana is invalid.
Judge Jorge Alonso ruled the Federal Highway Administration’s 2013 endorsement of the bi-state project was “arbitrary and capricious” and in violation of U.S. environmental law.
Earlier this month, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner announced plans to kill the expressway between Interstates 55 and 65 south of Chicago as he battled with the Legislature over the state’s budget. He suspended the work in January, questioning its need. Indiana has also suspended work on the project pending a cost-benefit review.
Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, supported the expressway. Last month, the FHA approved plans for the project, giving officials the green light to begin looking for public-private partnerships to construct, maintain and operate the tollway.
Full story here.
If you think you may be affected by the Illiana Project and/or are interested in a free consultation, contact our eminent domain landowner attorneys at 1-888-318-3761 or visit us on the web at www.landownerattorneys.com.
Photo: Rex, C (photographer). (2015). Retrieved From: https://illinoistimes.com/article-15627-major-oil-pipeline-planned-near-springfield.html
