Illinois Tollway expects 8 million vehicles Labor Day weekend

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – The Illinois Tollway reminds drivers traveling this Labor Day weekend that failing to obey the Move Over Law or using a hand-held cell phone while driving will result in steeper fines and penalties.

The Illinois Tollway expects nearly 8 million vehicles to travel the 294-mile Tollway system from Friday, August 30, through Tuesday, September 3. The heaviest travel is anticipated on Friday, August 30, when nearly 2 million vehicles are expected on the road. On an average day, about 1.6 million vehicles use the Tollway.

“Drivers need to do their part to increase roadway safety by obeying the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over safely when approaching any vehicle with hazard lights flashing, and staying off their phones,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely this Labor Day weekend and ensure that the men and women working on our roadways get home to their families safely, as well.”

The Move Over Law, also known as Scott’s Law, was recently expanded to increase the minimum fine for a first-time violation to $250 and to $750 for subsequent violations in an effort to better protect law enforcement, first responders, road workers and everyday motorists. The expanded law also increases criminal penalties to up to three years in prison if the violation results in an injury or death of another person.

Illinois law also prohibits the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving. A first-time offense for using an electronic communication device while driving in Illinois is now considered a moving violation, even if the vehicle is stopped at a traffic signal. The fine for a first offense is a maximum of $75, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. Drivers with three or more moving violations within a 12-month period risk suspension of their driver’s license.

Holiday Work Zones

To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, August 30, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule.

Areas where ongoing work zones may impact traffic include:

Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)

• On I-94, traffic in both directions between Half Day Road and the Edens Spur is reduced to four lanes and shifted.
• On the Edens Spur, between Pfingsten Road and the Edens Expressway, traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction.

• Between the O’Hare Oasis and Balmoral Avenue, traffic is shifted in both directions.

Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)

• Between I-290 and York Road, traffic is shifted in both directions and access to I-290, Mannheim Road and I-294 is restricted in certain lanes, so drivers need to pay attention to construction signage.

Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)

• Between Butterfield Road and Roosevelt Road, shoulders in both directions are closed and traffic is shifted. No trucks are allowed in the left lane.

Take I-PASS with You

If heading out of state this Labor Day weekend, remember to properly mount your I-PASS transponder before you go to ensure successful toll payments on the Tollway system and in other states that accept I-PASS. I-PASS can be used to pay tolls on the Illinois Tollway system and in other states that accept E-ZPass, including Indiana and 15 other states that are part of the E-ZPass network.

Dial in at a Tollway Oasis

Drivers can stop by any of the six Tollway oases facilities to safely and conveniently use their mobile devices for calling, texting, posting and accessing apps. There are four oases locations on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80): Lake Forest, O’Hare, Hinsdale and the Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland, as well as on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Belvidere and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb. Oases offer drivers the chance to take a break, grab a snack and refuel.

Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance

Tollway customers can call *999 to get assistance from Tollway roadway maintenance crews or from Illinois State Police District 15 while traveling the Tollway system during the holidays. Motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. District 15 troopers patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.

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