If enacted, HR0016 would not directly change state laws but seeks permission from Congress to enable Illinois to implement tolls on interstate highways built with federal funding. The bill highlights a possible way to fund improvements and enhance safety on these roads, potentially using the revenues generated from tolls. This could set a precedent for other states grappling with similar issues related to expressway violence, leading to a trend towards tolling as a public safety measure.
House Resolution 0016 (HR0016) proposes that the U.S. Congress authorize a policy change to allow existing interstate highways, particularly the Dan Ryan Expressway in Illinois, to be converted into state toll roads. This resolution arose in response to a significant increase in expressway shootings in the Chicago area, where reports indicated over 185 shootings in 2021 alone, a sharp increase from previous years. The resolution aims to enhance public safety by minimizing opportunities for such violence, which is believed to occur opportunistically when individuals in conflict cross paths on the highway.
Notably, the resolution addresses a contentious aspect regarding existing federal laws, particularly the 1956 Interstate Highway Act, which generally prohibits tolling on interstate highways. The proposal to alter local interstates into tollways may raise concerns and legal challenges regarding the interpretation of federal law. Critics might argue that such changes could lead to affordability issues for commuters and could set a complex legal framework for future tolling-related legislation.