Illinois Tollway inspector general reports rise in hotline contacts, recommends policy and tracking fixes

The Illinois Tollway inspector general told the board that the agency saw an increase in hotline and online reports in the past six months and recommended changes to the Tollway’s arrest-reporting process, its use of retired temporary employees and vehicle-tracking equipment.

In a semiannual overview, T.J., the Tollway’s inspector general, said his office received 99 hotline calls and 58 online submissions over the six-month reporting period and took action in 234 matters. He said 76 referrals went to department chiefs and 150 referrals went to toll operations customer service.

The inspector general said the office completed several reviews with formal recommendations. In one management advisory (R204001) the OIG found that the Tollway’s arrest-reporting policy — which requires employees to report arrests and indictments within three days and to report case outcomes in a timely fashion — was not being consistently tracked or followed. The OIG recommended improved tracking and clearer reporting forms. Administration agreed to add fields and require backup documentation in its…