Cassaundra Rouse was appointed Executive Director of the Illinois Tollway by Governor JB Pritzker in August 2022. She oversees the state’s 294-mile Tollway system, spanning five roadways across 12 counties in Northern Illinois, and manages the multi-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program, now in its 14th year. Under her leadership, the Tollway recently secured board approval for Bridging the Future, a new $2 billion capital improvement plan focused on modernization and safety in 2025 and beyond.Rouse leads nearly 1,400 employees in ensuring a safe, efficient highway toll system while delivering top-tier customer service to nearly 1.6 million daily drivers. Before becoming Executive Director, she held key leadership roles at the Illinois Tollway, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy and Implementation Officer. Her influence extends beyond the Tollway—she was recently appointed vice chair of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee, the decision-making body for all regional transportation plans and programs in northeastern Illinois. She also serves as a board director for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) and is an active member of the IBTTA Women in Tolling Council. Additionally, she sits on the advisory board of WTS Greater Chicago, an organization dedicated to advancing women in transportation.A Chicago South Side native, Rouse’s leadership and contributions have been widely recognized. She was named 2025 Woman of the Year by WTS Chicago, a prestigious honor celebrating her impact on the industry. She was also recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business 2024 Notable Black Leaders and selected for the 2024 Edgar Fellowship Class, which honors Illinois leaders in public policy. Additionally, she received the Trailblazer Award from Tuskegee Next, an organization that prepares underrepresented youth for careers in aviation and transportation.Rouse is a graduate of Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management with a concentration in accounting.