Dave Ahlberg, 219-464-3830

Laura Blaney, 219-477-6619

Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road (CAPIT) to host March 10 legislative forum and March 6 Westville meeting

Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road (CAPIT) will host a citizen meeting in Westville on March 6 and a legislative forum at the Porter County Expo Center on March 10.

Both meetings are intended to help give the public more information about the proposed Illiana Tollroad and to help citizens get involved in the growing effort against Senate Bill 1, which would give Gov. Mitch Daniels sweeping authority to retain a private company to build and manage, and profit from, the new toll road.

The March 6 meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Westville American Legion, 52 West Main (Highway 421), Westville.

The March 10 legislative forum will be at 10:30 a.m. at the Porter County Expo Center, Ind. 49 and Division Road, Valparaiso.

CAPIT has invited the entire Northwest Indiana state delegation, as well as members of the Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee, to the March 10 forum. The event will allow citizens to share their concerns with the legislators.

CAPIT opposes the Illiana Toll Road for a wide variety of reasons. State legislators are being asked to authorize the privatized toll road by passing S.B. 1, even though the project has not been adequately studied. In addition, there is a lack of data on traffic issues and the impact that the increased traffic will have on Lake and Porter counties' non-attainment status for ozone. CAPIT has raised concerns about the negative consequences of urban sprawl on Gary, Hammond and other urbanized communities. CAPIT opposes the use of eminent domain for private profit and the destruction of valuable farmland. Citizens have also raised concerns about the loss of tax base, since the private company managing the toll road will not pay property taxes, and the possible negative impact on the Gary Airport in favor of the Peotone airport.

At both meetings, CAPIT will have No-Illiana yard signs, shirts and petitions available. For more information, see CAPIT's webpage at www.no-illiana.com and the discussion page, www.no-illiana-tollroad.com

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