Citizens and officials were split over a proposed overhaul of Illinois tollways Monday night during a public hearing at the Convocation Center.

The Illinois Tollway Authority sponsored the hearing that focused on the 10-year, $5.3 billion Open Roads for a Faster Future program unveiled by Gov. Rod Blagojevich in August.

The plan emphasizes the need for road improvement in Illinois, said Marilyn Johnson, chief of staff for the ITA.

Sixty-five percent of roads in Illinois are more than 45 years old and in need of rebuilding, Johnson said.

The Open Roads program proposes rebuilding the existing 274-mile system, which serves 1.3 million vehicles daily and includes I-294/94, I-90, I-88, and I-355, Johnson said.

The Open Roads program would benefit the Illinois economy by generating $20 billion in economic benefits and creating 252,000 jobs, Johnson said

A computer simulation during the hearing showed “open road” tolling in effect, where I-Pass users would use barrier-free lanes and manual tollways would be constructed along the roadsides.

Other improvements would include a $730 million plan to extend I-355 south to serve Will County.

The plan would be paid for through tollway fees, Johnson said.

Under the plan, current I-Pass users will not see a toll increase. Drivers who pay cash would see an average increase of 40 cents per toll.

Truck drivers would face the heaviest increases due to the disproportionate wear and tear they cause to roads, Johnson said.

One semi-truck damage as much road as 10,300 cars would, Johnson said.

Truck drivers would still be able to take advantage of a congestion pricing incentive that would lower tolls during night drives.

Will County Chamber of Commerce President John Greuling said the proposal is fair and necessary to keep Will County globally competitive.

Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley, said the plan may seem like a good start, but truck drivers are unfairly burdened with most of the toll increases.

The nighttime driving incentives may sound good, but are still unfair to truck drivers working day shifts and those who need to make immediate deliveries, he said.

Other citizens voiced disapproval of the plan, calling it a power grab by the tollway authority.

Lockport resident Susan Schnittger said the meeting was an “exercise in futility.” The tollway authority would force families out of their homes with the new construction, she said.

Michelle Damico, an ITA spokesperson, said Schnittger’s accusations were unfounded, arguing the land for expansion was bought long ago and the plan has been in the works for almost ten years.

Construction could begin later this year if the tollway board approves the new toll rates.