Board Information
Board Information
The Tollway has an 11-member board, including Governor JB Pritzker and the Secretary of Transportation who serve as ex-officio members. The Chairman and Directors are appointed by the Governor and serve four-year terms; no more than five of the members may be from one political party. The Board of Directors sets policy for the operation, maintenance and construction of the roadways.
About the Board
Board Mission
The mission of the Illinois Tollway is to provide and promote a safe and efficient system of highways while ensuring the highest possible level of service to our customers. Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, the Tollway is committed to achieving the following goals:
- Increase collaboration with regional transportation and planning agencies
- Promote the regional economy
- Foster environmental responsibility and sustainability
- Further transparency and accountability
- Enhance customer service
The goals set the future of the agency, focusing on tomorrow's opportunities.
CONTACT A BOARD MEMBER
Director (Name)
Illinois Tollway
2700 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
Arnie Rivera
Chairman
Chairman Rivera is the Chief Administrative & Equity Officer for Navy Pier where he leads the organization’s key administrative functions, including arts, culture and engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); resource development; marketing and communications; strategy and planning; people and culture; and data analytics. Prior to joining Navy Pier in May 2021, Rivera served as the Chief Operating Officer for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), overseeing the day-to-day operations of the then third largest public school system in the country. Rivera also previously served CPS as a first grade teacher, as part of the administrative team and as Member of the Chicago Board of Education. He also has served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education for the City of Chicago. Rivera’s roots in Illinois extend to his time as a student at Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Master of Science in Education and Social Policy.
Jim Connolly
Vice Chairman
Director Connolly has been a proud member of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (“LiUNA”) for over 48 years. He currently serves as the business manager of the Chicago & Vicinity Laborers’ District Council and has held that position since he was first elected in March 2000. Connolly proudly serves and fights to improve the lives of the 20,000 men and women who comprise the membership of the District Council’s 15 affiliated LiUNA Locals. He has worked with all levels of government, including serving on an advisory panel charged with overseeing the potential privatization of Midway International Airport. Connolly strives to bring Labor and Management together to promote the industries represented by the members of the Laborers’ District Council and the signatory contractors who employ them.
Jacqueline Gomez Fuentes
Director
Director Gomez is an experienced leader in inclusive initiatives, diverse business development programming and workforce development strategies. As the Executive Director for the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), Gomez advocates on behalf of its members and the greater diverse business community for equitable participation and inclusive procurement practices. She formerly served as Director of Supplier and Workforce Diversity for the Obama Foundation where she was responsible for the implementation and management of the Foundation’s diversity initiatives for the construction of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC). Gomez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Masters in Business Administration from National Louis University.
Karen McConnaughay
Director
Director McConnaughay served two terms as state senator of the 33rd District, where she was the Republican Minority Whip and the minority spokesperson for the Senate Transportation Committee. She also served on the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Executive Board and International Relations Task Force. Prior to her election to the state senate, McConnaughay served as the County Board Chairman of Kane County from 2004 to 2012 where she achieved remarkable fiscal success by lowering spending and reducing the size of government while bolstering accountability, efficiency and transparency, resulting in significant bond rating increases. Under her leadership, Kane County invested in major expansion and upgrades of county bridge and road systems, public transportation, 911 public safety and criminal justice facilities.
Melissa Neddermeyer
Director
Director Neddermeyer serves as president of the Village of Willow Springs after previously serving as a village trustee, and since taking office in 2021 has focused on increasing investments in infrastructure and village services to residents, building reserve funding and also reducing village debt. As part of her commitment to working collaboratively with other communities, Neddermeyer is an active member of Southwest Conference of Mayors and the West Central Municipal Conference. Neddermeyer, a lifelong resident of Willow Springs, owns and operates her own legal practice in the village after previously working at two Chicago law firms. A mother of three children, she is a graduate of DePaul University in Chicago and Chicago Kent College of Law in Chicago.
Scott Paddock
Director
With a history of success in brand marketing and general management roles, Director Paddock was named Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Silver Cross Hospital and Medical Center in November, 2020. In this role, Paddock oversees the organization’s marketing and communications, governmental affairs, community programming, volunteer services, as well as fundraising for the Silver Cross Foundation. Prior to joining the Silver Cross executive team, he served as a member of the hospital’s Board of Directors for eight years, including a term as Board Chair; as well as President of Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway. In addition, Scott was the Director of Sports Marketing for the Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo Inc. and was responsible for the management of the brand’s 120MM sports marketing sponsorship portfolio, including all league, team and spokesperson relations and negotiations, while serving as a key member of the Gatorade Leadership Team. Scott received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a student-athlete as a member of the men’s basketball program. Scott and his wife, Marcy, reside in Orland Park, Ill., and have two daughters.
Gary Perinar
Director
Director Perinar currently serves as executive secretary-treasurer for the over 30,000 members of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. Perinar is a third-generation business representative of the union and a 40-year member of Carpenters Local 174 where he served his apprenticeship. At age 32, he became a full-time business representative and later an assistant to the president/EST. Perinar was twice elected as the second vice president of the Regional Council and has served under four ESTs. He has also served as a delegate for 25 years and held the position of trustee on various committees and boards including health and welfare and pension funds during this period. Perinar was the 2018 recipient of the esteemed George Meany Award which is a National Recognition by the Boy Scouts of America Pathway to Adventure Council. The award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the youth of the community.
Jim Sweeney
Director
Director Sweeney is the president-business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. He joined the union in 1978 and worked for contractors on sewer, slag, paving and deep tunnel projects. Since Sweeney joined Local 150 in 1987, the union’s membership doubled from less than 10,000 to more than 23,000. He has been president-business manager since 2008 and steered Local 150 through the recession while maintaining wage and benefit levels and implementing temporary healthcare subsidies and the Local 150 Food Bank to offer assistance to members in need. Sweeney served on the tollway board under Gov. Quinn from 2011 to 2015 where he advocated for the efficient modernization of the nation’s most advanced network of toll roads.
Mark Wright
Director
Director Wright is a business leader with extensive experience in the transportation and construction industries. He is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Diverse Facility Solutions (DFS), which provides facility management services along with airline support services to projects at various airports across the country. Since launching his business in 2002, Wright has expanded it into additional markets, including airports, municipal buildings, universities and commercial real estate. Wright previously worked as Director of Operations for the Midway Airlines’ Terminal Consortium (MATCO), supervising operations of common use airline spaces and services, and began his career in the aviation industry with ATA Airlines in Indianapolis. A resident of Naperville, he is active in his community, serving as chairman of the Naperville Development Partnership, as a commissioner on the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission, and also is on the board of several local non-profit organizations, including SOS Children’s Village and Naperville Elderly Homes.
Board Structure
In June 2011, the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors adopted a Board structure that creates committees to focus on key areas of Tollway operations and customer service, as well as guide discussion and decision-making regarding ways to improve the agency. The Board Committee structure is designed to enable the Tollway to:
- Enhance customer service
- Maintain financial integrity
- Promote the regional economy
- Increase collaboration with regional transportation entities
- Maintain the public trust
- Foster environmental responsibility and sustainability
- Maintain the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system
Tollway Board committees will meet at least twice a year, and provide regular reports to the full Board of Directors.
The Finance Administration Operations Committee meets every third Wednesday monthly. Other committes meet as needed.
Board Statements of Economic Interest
If you would like to search for any Illinois Tollway Board Member’s annual statement of economic interest which remain on file with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office please visit the following site.
Board Committees
Engineering, Planning & Development Oversight Committee
This committee provides policy direction to and oversight of the engineering activities of the Agency, in order to ensure the efficient and legally-compliant procurement and administration of the Tollway’s capital budget, as well as provide the Board with advice on the strategic direction and planning of transportation infrastructure investments at the conceptual stage. The Committee shall monitor and make recommendations to the Board on budget matters including: policies and procedures related to Engineering, Procurement, and Compliance.
Finance & Audit Committee
This committee assists the Board in carrying out its responsibilities relating to the Tollway’s annual compliance and financial audits as well as provide policy direction to and oversight of the Agency’s financial activities, in order to ensure the immediate and long-term financial stability of the Tollway. The committee assists the Board in reviewing the Tollway’s audited financial statements, addressing audit findings, reviewing the Tollway’s systems of internal controls and analyzing significant changes to Tollway accounting policies or the Tollway’s financial position. Additionally, the committee monitors and make recommendations to the Board on budget matters including: financing and debt strategies; policies and procedures related to Procurement.
Technology & Operations Committee
This committee’s purpose is to improve tollway operations and transparency and promote the development and implementation of appropriate information technology solutions critical to providing quality customer service and revenue generation, now and in the future, as well as provide the Board with advice on the strategic direction and planning of information technology infrastructure investments at the conceptual stage. The committee reviews technology strategies and business processes for collecting tolls, violation enforcement and customer service. The committee also reviews, at the conceptual stage, analysis from staff and recommend direction for long-term strategic planning for Tollway projects or programs.
Diversity & Inclusion Committee
This committee provides policy direction to and oversight of the Tollway’s inclusion efforts in contracting, procurement, and construction-related professional services as well as workforce diversity. The committee monitors and make available opportunities and programs that promote mutual respect and understanding of diversity and diversity initiatives, to the fullest extent possible, through organizational changes and leadership that supports diversity, networking and mentoring opportunities, community outreach, educational and developmental programs. The committee works with and receives regular reports from Tollway personnel and industry professionals regarding the Tollway’s work with disadvantaged, minority, women, veteran-owned, and other certified or registered small businesses, as well as workforce development.
Board Meetings Overview
The Tollway Board meets on the third Thursday of each month, except in November and December when meetings are a week earlier due to holidays. All Board meetings are open to the public.
Regularly scheduled meetings can be viewed via live webcast.
Additional Board meetings are scheduled as needed and posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. A public comment period is held at the beginning of each Board meeting. Comments are limited to two minutes per visitor. Visitors are welcome to stay. However, they will not be able to make any additional comments for the remainder of the meeting.
If you wish to address the Board, you must:
- Attend the meeting in person. Meetings start promptly at 9:00 a.m. unless otherwise posted.
- Fill out a registration card (available at the front desk prior to each meeting)
Board And Committee Meetings Schedule, Notices And Agendas
| 2024 Meeting Dates | Diversity & Inclusion Committee | Technology & Operations Committee | Finance & Audit Committee | Engineering, Planning & Development Oversight | Board Meeting | Strategic Planning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 26, 2024 | 8:45 a.m. | Canceled | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| February 22, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:40 a.m. | 8:50 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | |
| March 21, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| April 18, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| May 16, 2024 | 9:45 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | |
| June 20, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| July 24, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| Aug 29, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45a.m. | 9:00a.m. | 9:15a.m. | 9:30 a.m. | |
| September 19, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| October 17, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | ||
| November 21, 2024 | 8:15 a.m. | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. | |
| December 19, 2024 | 8:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 9:15 a.m. |
Meeting Minutes and Resolutions
Below are minutes and resolutions from recent meetings of the Tollway Board of Directors and Committee meetings. All minutes must be approved by the Board of Directors before they are posted. Board resolutions are official documents that represent an action on part of the Board of Directors. Files are posted in Adobe Acrobat format.
Webcast Information
Regularly scheduled Board meetings can be viewed via live webcast.
- Once the meeting is live, click on the "In Progress" link to view the stream.
- When you are finished watching the meeting, press "Quit" on the top right of the webcast page.
- If you are unable to view the live webcast, a video file will be made available three business days following the Board meeting.
Retrieve minutes from previous Board and/or Committee meetings