In 2011, after months of public hearings and detailed presentations, Illinois tollway directors took the controversial step of nearly doubling rates to fund a massive road building program.

Last week in a matter of hours, the Illinois General Assembly approved a 45-cent toll hike that will generate $1 billion a year for an undefined capital plan.

“It represents over $1 billion in a tax increase for people who count on the tollway day in and day out,” Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte of St. Charles said.

The curious tollway incident, however, was just a sideshow in a legislative package rescuing Metra , Pace and the CTA from a looming shortfall with a $1.5 billion annual infusion.

“The legislature stepped up with the governor and closed the fiscal cliff, so that’s great news fo

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