In an ambitious-yet-criticized project, Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich (D) on Aug. 25 proposed a $5.3-billion-plan to convert half of the states tollway system into high speed, "open-road tolling." Illinois officials claim that the state's next big step in its 11-year-old, transponder-based collection system would be a first of such magnitude in the U.S.
"The time has come for a major overhaul," says Blagojevich.