INDIANAPOLIS | The Senate voted 36-13 Monday to allow Gov. Mitch Daniels to recruit private partners to build the Illiana Expressway in Northwest Indiana and the Indiana Commerce Connector, another proposed private tollway outside Indianapolis.

The vote, which followed a lengthy but civil debate, steers the highway bill to an uncertain fate in the House, where Speaker Pat Bauer, a South Bend Democrat, came to power after vehemently opposing last year's private Indiana Toll Road lease.

Seven Senate Democrats, most from northern Indiana, joined 29 Republicans on Monday in support of Senate Bill 1, an indication of the legislative support for the Illiana, which would connect Interstate 57 in Illinois with Interstate 94 in LaPorte County. Five Republicans, most from central Indiana, voted against the highway bill, a further sign of suspect support for the Commerce Connector.

"I would love to support my Northwest Indiana colleagues on the Illiana Expressway, but I'm not ready to allow the governor to go forward with the Commerce Connector until my questions are answered," said Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville.

Some of the criticism mirrored privatization barbs leveled during last year's Toll Road debate. But that primary objection focused on whether it's too early to cede control to Daniels and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

SB 1 creates a legislative advisory committee for each tollway but gives Daniels ultimate decision-making power. Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, said she's fine with that arrangement.

"If this committee of lawmakers or the general public felt that these highways should not be built, I don't think that the governor would go ahead and build these highways," Rogers said. "He said it publicly, and he said it to us individually as legislators. And maybe it's a Pollyanna-ish attitude on my part, but I believe what he has (said)."

Sen. Vic Heinold, R-Kouts, also expressed confidence in the governor's judgment and willingness to accept local input on the roads, which, even with the legislation, still would be several years away from initial construction.

A group calling itself Citizens Against the Privatized Illiana Toll Road, criticized the Senate for giving the governor "unchecked power" to make a deal that they predicted would "evict thousands of Indiana residents from their homes and farms."

Supporters argued the road is necessary for future economic development and to relieve congestion on the Borman Expressway.

"Our area will totally be gridlocked in 15 years without this development," said Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake.

Rogers described the trepidation she said follows her commutes to and from Indianapolis. "When I get on (the Borman) I feel as if I'm taking my life in my hands and when I get off I feel as if I've cheated death," she said. "It's just that congested."

Breakout

Senate Bill 1 -- authorize private partnerships from the Illiana Expressway and Indiana Commerce Connector. How local senators voted: Yes Anita Bowser, D-Michigan City; Vic Heinold; R-Kouts; Sue Landske; R-Cedar Lake; Frank Mrvan; D-Hammond; Earline Rogers, D-Gary; Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes No None Absent Sam Smith, D-East Chicago