Illiana Tollway project uncertain after federal judge's ruling

A federal judge dealt another blow Tuesday to the proposed Illiana Tollway.

He said the federal approval of the highway violated U.S. environmental laws.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit to block the highway, which would run between northern Illinois and Indiana.

The lawsuit claims the 44-mile long tollway would damage protected prairies and was based on inflated population, job and traffic forecasts.

A new study projects tolls from the highway would still leave taxpayers on the hook for at least one-third of the $1.5 billion project.