The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (often abbreviate ISTHA) is an instrumentality and administrative agency of the State of Illinois. The Tollway is governed by an 11-member board of directors. The Governor of the State of Illinois and the head of the Illinois Department of Transportation serve as ex officio members of the Tollway Board. The remaining 9 members are named by the Governor. No more than 5 appointed members may be of the same political party as the Governor. The Authority has the power to collect and raise tolls, and is responsible for the maintenance and construction of tollway roads and related signage (including electronic message boards, used for driving time notices, Amber Alerts and other notifications). The Tollway also supervises and manages the seven Illinois Tollway oases. The close relationship between the governor and the near-majority of appointed board members has led to numerous allegations of endemic corruption throughout the tollway authority's lifetime.