Illinois Tollway inspector general resigns

Tracy Smith resigned on Aug. 27 as inspector general of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, the Daily Herald reported.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office has criticized Smith recently, questioning her job performance.

“We’re seriously concerned about her conduct as inspector general,” a spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office said.

The criticism centers on Smith’s relationship with a college classmate who is now the wife of Illinois Tollway Chairman John Mitola. Marcy Mitola and Smith were friends in law school 15 years ago. John Mitola called any allegations against Smith ridiculous and mean-spirited.

Smith told the Daily Herald there was no conflict of interest between her job, in which she is empowered to stamp out corruption, and her friendship with the Toll Authority chairman’s wife.

“No relationship exists that would prevent me from doing my job effectively,” Smith wrote in an e-mail.

Smith was hired in 2005 before current Gov. Pat Quinn replaced ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who now faces corruption charges.