2 Western Springs Officials Abstain From Tollway Vote

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — Two Western Springs officials abstained from a vote Monday on an agreement with the Illinois Tollway on a new pedestrian bridge.

Village President Alice Gallagher abstained from the vote because she is a member of the Illinois Tollway's board.

Trustee James Tyrrell did so because he has an issue with the tollway.

"I will be abstaining from this in my individual capacity as a landowner," Tyrrell told the board. "I have become involved in an eminent domain issue with the tollway and to be prudent, should abstain from any tollway-related matters that require board action."

Tyrrell lives next to the Interstate 294 tollway, which is undergoing an expansion.

The other trustees voted unanimously for the agreement.

The document was the result of a year of negotiations over the style and maintenance of the bridge. The bridge will cross over the freeway to Hinsdale, a party to the agreement. The bridge will be next to 47th Street.