Illinois Tollway Goes To Court To Collect Unpaid Tolls
The Illinois Tollway Authority is not playing around anymore.
If drivers using the tollway don’t pay unpaid tolls and fines, they could end up in court soon.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Tollway Authority filed lawsuits in DuPage and Cook County in an attempt to collect on very large, unpaid tolls totally $1.8 million.
This includes, according to the report, a trucking company which owes more than $150,000, a day care center with a $19,000 bill and a plumbing company which owes around $60,000.
And while most of the larger outstanding debts are owed by businesses with fleets of vehicles, the Tribune reports at least one individual living in the suburbs owes the tollway a jaw dropping $100,000.
But the $1.8 million from the 43 initial lawsuits is just a drop in the bucket. The Tollway Authority says it’s owed $300 million in unpaid tolls and fines going back to 2001.
Here’s the Tribune’s full story, “Tollway takes top toll violators to court.”
I hate the Illinois Tollway Authority (85% toll hikes, needless make-work projects, slush funds for board members, etc.) as much as anyone. But why not get serious about deadbeats, especially businesses trying to get a free ride while the rest of us pay. The Tollway should go to the Legislature for scofflaw remedies. Low cost options for the worst offenders could include:
1. intercepting state tax refunds;
2. suspending business licenses/commercial license plates;
3. suspending/barring contracts with the State;
4. expedited proceedings for attachment/garnishment of bank accounts.
As a condition of allowing these remedies, the Legislature should demand a forensic audit of the Tollway Authority’s books, to look for the waste and corruption that led to the recent toll hikes. (I’m sure they’ find plenty.)
I thought the toll road authority had the power of government, that is a monopoly on legal violence. Like the signs say: “Toll violators are subject to fine, arrest or suspension of driving privileges.”
But the toll road authority has to sue to get unpaid tolls the way say a private company would have to sue if someone or some other company did not pay the bill for services rendered or goods delivered?
If the toll road authority uses lawsuits and collection agencies to be paid, it seems one of the greatest objections to free market roads has already been solved, by a government agency.
Illinois Tollway “Authority” is a FRAUD. They are trying to collect over $200 for 3 missed tolls. Tolls that were NOT manned because they are greedy. Two of the tolls are on I-88 Dixon Plaza 69 where the rest rooms have been “Out of Order” since March! Tom Weisner is defrauding US of honest services. I tried to pay these tolls with a Money Order (14-54083343) for Notice VN124386422, plate 551 RIW ($9.10) but they wanted an extra $60 for each missed toll. That is NOT fair because they allow I-Pass participants to pay ONLY they tolls they miss. Two sets of rules. And what of our inconvenience and discomfort because these idiots are too lazy to or too greedy to fix the rest rooms at the Plaza 69 Dixon I-88 since March 2012. The toll operator told me to go outside behind the building ! Not her fault that these crooks are operating under the influence of High Fructose Corn Syrup. Who is in Charge ? Kristi LaFleur ? Michael Colsch (815) 609-5861 or 847-931-8570, or Jeff Redding (847) 265-1273 ? or Tom Weisner (630) 892 3828 0r 3316 ? Where is the accountability of these crooks ? I demand that they file a suit IF they believe they have ANYTHING coming. According to City of Cedar Rapids vs Astinger they MUST have a claim of Injury or Damages in order to win. It’s called a VERIFIABLE COMPLAINT & is REQUIRED in ALL cases. You Tube: Legal Land, click Mark Stevens for more case law. They MUST have a Valid Cause of Action (They NEVER DO) They use deception and intimidation and scare tactics to get people to pay. IF they were honest and offered honest services and roads (NOT obstacle courses with pot holes or unending CONstruction) it wouldn’t be so bad. These folks are Hwy Robbers. Tell the Gov. Quinn to get on it. You Tube: Lawless America
What does one do when the tollway authority tries to extort money out of you for fraudulent unpaid tolls that don’t belong to you? I assume they are doing this to raise revenue because they know that the average citizen has neither the time nor the means to fight bogus toll charges in court.
It is easy to end up in a nightmare scenario where they threaten to destroy your credit rating and take you to court for money you do not owe. Can these criminals be prosecuted for extortion?