Officials in Indiana will vote today on whether to approve a controversial tollway that could run through Northeast Illinois. The 47-mile Illiana tollway would run from I-55 in Will County to I-65 in Lake County, Indiana. Chicago area planners in October approved funding the portion that runs through Illinois. But opponents say it will destroy farmland and existing neighborhoods.
Christine Cid, a Lake County, Indiana councilwoman, says the project will divert investment from struggling cities like Hammond and Gary.
"It doesn’t fit our goal to help the northern end that has lost a lot of population. And that’s what we need to do is to at least retain the population and build those properties back up," Cid said.
Supporters say thetollway will bring jobs and a ease congestion on roads.