Despite the $1 billion price tag, uncertain locations, and lack of funding sources; political support is lining up for the Illiana Expressway, at least on the Illinois side. If built, the Illiana would be an east-west route connecting Interstate 57 in Illinois and I-65 in Indiana.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the Democratic incumbent, and one of his GOP rivals, Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale have voiced support for the project.

Quinn has called Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, but has so far been unsuccessful at setting up a meeting.

Dillard, a state senator and former Chief of Staff to ex-Gov. Jim Edgar, has issued strong support. On Twitter and his campaign website, Dillard said he plans to make the project a top priority if he becomes governor.

U.S. Rep.  Debbie Halvorson, (D-Crete) who has long supported the project, offered to take a leadership role. She has requested $5 million for further studies. While Halvorson would prefer to fund the roadway through a public/private partnership, she is not opposed to its being a tollway. She said she has no preference on a particular route.

The Illiana has been talked about for decades in Illinois, but it wasn't until Daniels gave his nod two years ago, that Indiana became involved. Daniels' support has resulted in legislation to undertake a bi-state feasibility study which has now been completed. The preliminary study identified three potential routes, possible costs, and other concerns.

Two years ago Daniels was ready to fast-track the Illiana Expressway. His was an ambitious road-building project that would take the route not just from I-57 to I-65, but north and east into Lake and LaPorter counties. His enthusiasm was rapidly quashed by angry opponents of the road, causing him to scale back the plans which would limit the project to the roughly 25-mile connection between the two states.

Daniels' predecessors—the late Govs. Frank O'Bannon and Evan Bayh—opposed the Illiana. They felt the new roadway was a way to bolster Illinois' efforts to gain support for a new airport near Peotone.

The Illiana Expressway at one time was directly tied to the airport project as the northernmost connector road designed to funnel traffic from the north-south interstates into the airport.

Some believe the airport remains the main thrust behind Illinois' support for the road leading to it.

The supporters for the roadway are the same as those who favor the airport.

·Gov. Quinn—Almost as soon as he was sworn in as Governor, Quinnsaid he wanted to build the airport 'as fast as humanly possible.' He backed hiswords by providing funding for continued land acquisition.

 · Sen. Kirk Dillard—It was Dillard's former boss—Jim Edgar—whorevived the Peotone project in the early 90's after a bi-state commission votedagainst building a new rural airport. Dillard voted for the South Suburban Airport Authority Actlast year, a bill sponsored by Halvorson that failed in the House. Dillard voted for the South Suburban Airport Authority Act last year, a bill sponsored by Halvorson that failed in the House.

·U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson has supported the airport since she became a state senator, the job she held prior to her move to Washington.

The only airport supporter who isn't keen on the Illiana appears to be U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Jackson wrote a guest commentary in the Southtown Star Monday, Nov. 16 taking Quinn to task for "talking about building the Illiana Expressway - not the airport - as his 'legacy' in the Southland."

The inference of Quinn's considering the Illiana Expressway his legacy was mentioned in a column in the Chicago Sun Times by Michael Sneed a few days before.

Jackson's commentary marks the first from the normally vocal Jackson, since he was accused of allegedly trying to buy the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Obama during the Rod Blagojevich administration.