Who Got Illinois Road Deal: Don't Ask

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

When it comes to figuring out how taxpayer dollars are spent on big state road projects, it's wise to be prepared for a runaround. Take the massive reconstruction of the Dan Ryan Expy., which ended in 2007.

The Better Government Association, partnering with the Chicago Sun-Times, asked the Illinois Department of Transportation to provide a list of contractors and subcontractors who worked on the project, which wrapped up on time but at a total cost of $975 million -- about $375 million over budget.

Here was IDOT's initial response: "The department is not in possession of a list of contractors and subcontractors used in the Dan Ryan Expressway projects and is under no obligation to create or prepare a new record (in this case, a list) pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act."

In other words: no go.

Imagine that.