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Illinois Tollway welcomes 38 interns, recognizes staff awards and a dispatcher’s lifesaving response
Summary
The Tollway announced a 38-person internship cohort selected from more than 700 applicants, representing 25 colleges across six states, and recognized two employees for professional achievement and emergency response work.
At the meeting, a Tollway staff member identified as Cassandra reported that the agency selected 38 college students for its annual internship program from more than 700 applicants. The cohort represents 25 colleges and universities across six states (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Tennessee, Mississippi and California) and includes students from historically Black colleges and universities such as West College and Tennessee State University. Cassandra said the interns will work across 13 departments over 10 weeks.
Cassandra also recognized two employees: Chad Hayden, the internal audit manager, who received a professional recognition award for 2024–25 from the Institute of Internal Auditors' Chicago chapter and holds multiple professional certifications and more than 17 years of government service and military experience; and Michelle Davila, a dispatch call taker, who was commended for calm and compassionate handling of a May call from a distressed motorist, remaining on the line until Southwest Central Dispatch and Illinois State Police arrived.
The board did not take formal action on the internship announcement or the recognitions; they were presented as staff reports. Cassandra thanked the administrative talent team and the mentors who support the program.
