Illinois Increases Passenger Tolls on January 1, 2012

Illinois Tollway Authority Truck Toll Increase
Part of a $12 Billion Plan to Reconstruct Interstates

The Illinois Tollway had already set a schedule to increase commercial truck tolls 60 percent between 2015 and 2017.  By 2017, truck tolls will have gone up 60 percent from the 2008 rate.

Illinois Tollway

In 2005, a congestion-relief plan was  launched which increased truck tolls.  Another truck toll increase was approved in 2008 which kept plans moving forward.  This is part of a $12 billion plan to reconstruct, widen and improve portions of Interstates 90, 94, 294 and 57.

The 2005 program also included a car toll increase for 2008 to pay for so-called green lanes.  However, since the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Illinois has worked to modify the plan which  no longer carries the "green lanes" moniker.

Under the most recent plan by the agency, tolls for passenger vehicles would increase $.35 cents at mainline plazas in January 2012.  It's the first proposed increase for I-PASS users in 28 years according to the agency.  I-PASS users make up 75 percent of the Tollway's traffic.  Cash-paying customers will pay double the I-PASS rate under the proposed schedule.

The Illinois Tollway operates 286 miles of toll roads and much of the system is 52 years old.  The agency was seeking public input about its $12 billion capital improvement plan and toll increase.

A series of 15 public hearings attracted 1,900 participants, and according to the authority, 85 percent of the comments received were supportive of the improvement plan.

The proposed improvements include widening Interstate 90 from I-294 to Rockford; reconstructing 20 miles of I-294 and I-94; preserving I-88 and I-335 and constructing a new interchange at I-294 and I-57.

Passenger tolls currently average $.40 cents at mainline toll plazas, which will jump to $.75 cents in 2012.