The Tollway recently announced the promotion of Cassaundra Rouse as Tollway Executive Director. Industry expresses it gratitude to Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin for her many contributions to the Illinois Tollway.

Cassaundra Rouse has over a decade of experience at the Illinois Tollway. She previously served as the Illinois Tollway’s Chief Strategy and Implementation Officer, Chief of Administration, and Chief Internal Auditor. Prior to joining the Illinois Tollway, she was an external auditor for Ernst & Young, as well as an audit and compliance manager for Arthur Andersen.

Read more:

House Republicans see a chance to move out of their current super-minority status and are running 107 candidates among the 118 House races. While they are focusing on cost of living, public safety and government ethics, Democrats point to guns and choice as additional top issues in many close suburban races. Following are two races to watch.

49th House District - Maura Hirschauer (D-West Chicago) is the incumbent in a district that comprises portions of Suburban Cook, DuPage, and Kane Counties just east of the Fox River. Considered a swing district, 53 percent voted against the proposed “Fair Tax” amendment in 2020, while 41 percent voted for former President Trump. Rep. Hirschauer is running against Republican Kevin Wallace. Democrats think Wallace’s opposition to banning assault rifles will work in their favor. Republicans believe that his experience as a successful local mayor will win over voters.

53rd House District - Incumbent Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights) is defending against Republican candidate Jack Vrett in another suburban swing district. Vrett is an attorney from Arlington Heights who worked in the Rauner administration. Both Walker and Vrett are veterans. Voters in this district opposed the “Fair Tax” measure 54-46 percent, and 40 percent voted for Trump. The 53rd District includes portions of Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines, Palatine, and Schaumburg.

Heavy traffic is expected during the Labor Day Holiday. In accordance with Article 107.09 of the Standard Specifications, the holiday period will be from:

All contractors on all types of contracts and all maintenance forces should be instructed to plan their work during the holiday period in accordance with the provisions of Article 107.09. Download the IDOT Memo for details.

The North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Study conducted an online survey and public life study between March and May 2022. The project team received over 5,000 responses and they are currently combining the survey results with the data gathered from the public life study. Results will be released later in the year. Meantime, the team created new visualizations of what the drive could become. Access them on the website under Task Force Small Group Workshops and Exhibits. Visit the North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Website.

The Illinois Tollway Building for Success Webinar Series presents "Illinois Tollway Insurance and Risk Management" on Monday, September 12, 2022, 3:00-3:30 PM. Presenters will review Tollway construction contract insurance requirements as found in the Illinois Tollway supplemental specifications and certain contract special provisions, which will be beneficial to contractors interested in or currently bidding on tollway contracts and insurance experts that want to learn more. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Click here to register. For more information, contact Lorena Ponce.

The meeting will feature an exclusive 2023 program preview from top transportation agency leaders from Chicago and the collar counties. A networking reception follows the presentations. Watch your email or visit the website for program details and register before the Sep. 23 deadline. Don't miss one of the most talked about and exciting membership meetings of the year!

Interested in sponsoring the General Membership Meeting? Please download the sponsorship form for details. Contact Molly Stratman at molly@irtba.org or (630) 626-3573 for questions and to secure your sponsorship before the Sep. 23 deadline.

Join Road Builder University on Thursday, Sep. 22, 1:30-2:30 PM to welcome experts from Assurance: Jamie Glanz, Senior Vice President, Claims, Jay Shelton, Senior Vice President of Risk Management Services and Chuck Mazzanti, Vice President of Construction Risk Management for a member-requested topic, "Claim Trends in Construction and How to Position Yourself Favorably." This webinar is FREE for members, but registration is required.

If you are not golfing, you can still join your friends and colleagues for dinner at the 42nd Annual IRTBA Golf Outing on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club. Simply log-in to your IRTBA account to register online for dinner only. See who's registered as of Sep. 2.

Golfers, please download Know Before You Go for additional details about policies, cancellations, golfer substitutions and more. Please contact Fallon Dickson, Event Planner at (815) 790-0633 or events@irtba.org with questions or waitlist inquiries.

Road Builder University Presents Tollway vs. IDOT - How Material Specifications Differ - Tuesday, October 25, 10:30 AM. Details coming soon! Click here for early registration.

Sep. 9, 10:00-11:00, Membership

Sep. 12, 2:30-4:00, Tollway Policy

Sep. 15, 8:00-9:00, Training & Education

Sep. 16, 1:30-2:30, Design Construction Review

Sep. 20, 8:00-9:00, P&D Board of Directors

Sep. 22, 10:00-11:00, Construction & Work Zone Safety

Sep. 29, 9:30-10:30, Finance

Sep. 30, 9:00-10:00, Kane County Co-op

Oct. 4, 7:00-9:00, Board of Directors

Oct. 11, 10:00-11:00, Lanscape/Erosion Control

Oct. 18, 8:30-10:30, IRTBA/IDOT D1 Forum

Oct. 21, 1:30-2:00, Design Construction Review

Nov. 1, 9:30-10:30, Equal Opportunity (note: rescheduled)

Meetings are held at the IRTBA office, 500 Park Blvd., Suite 1250, Itasca, IL unless noted otherwise - please watch your committee emails and contact Avani Shah with questions.

Please sign in to the IRTBA website to make your committee requests. Remember: only one member from any company may serve on a committee; no more than five committee requests; rank your requests in order of preference; committee spots are in high demand and requests are not guaranteed - but we'll do our best.

Requests for 2023 IRTBA Committees will be accepted through close of business on Friday, September 30, 2022. Thank you in advance for volunteering your time and energy to make our industry great!

Members, did you miss a meeting or webinar from either the current or last year? Log in to your IRTBA account to access Road Builder University on-demand here or view General Membership Meeting slides here.

WEBSITE ADVOCACY   MEMBERSHIP   COMMUNICATIONS   EVENTS  COMMITTEES SUSTAINABILITY  PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES