Toll rates will jump significantly in January as part of a $26.5 billion capital plan approved by Illinois Tollway officials on Wednesday.
The 15-year plan includes a 45-cent increase for passenger vehicles that use I-Pass stickers. Those that don't have I-Pass stickers will see an increase of 90 cents.
Tolls for commercial vehicles will increase by 30 percent, the agency said.
The program "will shape investment across the Tollway system through 2042, addressing congestion, aging infrastructure and the transportation needs of a growing region," Tollway officials said in a release.
The Board also approved new passenger and commercial vehicle toll rates to fund the program beginning January 1, 2027. Officials said it's the first increase in more than 15 years and ensures rates remain below the national average.
The Driving Connections investment is focused on rebuilding and rehabilitating roads and bridges, improving interchanges and access, reducing traffic delays and making the systemwide investments necessary to keep nearly 300 miles of Tollway safe and reliable, according to the release.
"This investment is about planning responsibly for the future of a transportation system that is critical to our region," said Tollway Board Chairman Arnie Rivera. "The Driving Connections capital program earned the support of the Tollway Board of Directors because connecting people and businesses through smart planning, strategic partnerships and collaborative projects will deliver benefits for the entire region."
The board action is the culmination of more than two years of strategic planning, analysis and public engagement, officials said. That work included hosting 13 public hearings across the 12 counties served by the Tollway and gathering more than 13,000 comments, with customers consistently identifying affordability, well-maintained roadways and fewer traffic delays among their priorities.
"We listened, we planned and now we have a responsibility to deliver," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "Nearly 1.7 million drivers rely on this system every day, and our responsibility extends well beyond the next construction season. We know where congestion is growing, and we know how our infrastructure ages. Driving Connections gives us a responsible path to meet those needs and keep Northern Illinois moving for the next generation."
The new capital program will be primarily funded through toll revenue, which will be supported by toll rate increases for both passenger and commercial vehicles, set to take effect on January 1, 2027. Funding for infrastructure improvements will also be generated through biennial toll rate adjustments for all vehicles tied to the Consumer Price Index.
The Illinois Tollway is a user-funded system that receives no state or federal tax dollars, and the new toll rate updates will support annual maintenance and operations, along with debt service for revenue bonds used to fund capital improvements for the Illinois Tollway system.
The capital program will "focus investment on some of the region's most persistent transportation challenges by reducing congestion, improving travel reliability and strengthening the connections people and businesses depend on every day," according to the Tollway.
Tollway officials said they have demonstrated the impact of its capital program investments, noting that completed improvements on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) reduced travel times by approximately 25 minutes, while the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange saves drivers up to 13 minutes in travel.
Driving Connections will focus investment on some of the region's most persistent transportation challenges by reducing congestion, improving travel reliability and strengthening the connections people and businesses depend on every day.
Illinois Tollway
Officials say the Chicagoland area is particularly impacted by traffic, with the average Chicago driver spending about 100 hours per year in traffic – more than two full work weeks – costing about $1,800 in lost time (INRIX). This is more than double the national average of 43 hours per year sitting in traffic.
Stop-and-go traffic leads to higher fuel consumption and increased brake and engine wear, increasing costs over time. Studies by the Associated General Contractors of America and American Society of Civil Engineers show that poor road conditions cost drivers approximately $725 per year due to additional repairs, faster vehicle depreciation, increased fuel use and tire wear.
Funding Plan Overview
The funding plan approved by the Tollway Board of Directors includes toll rate updates for both passenger and commercial vehicles, including discounts for all I-PASS customers, effective January 1, 2027.
The plan represents the first toll increase in 15 years for passenger vehicle drivers, who comprise approximately 87 percent of the Illinois Tollway's 1.7 million daily users. The Illinois Tollway's average passenger toll for I-PASS customers will increase from an average of $0.07 per mile to approximately $0.11 per mile – below the national average of $0.16 per mile.
The increases for passenger vehicle toll rates will be 45 cents per toll for I-PASS users on the most common mainline toll plaza and the increase for commercial vehicle toll rates will be approximately 30 percent for I-PASS users.
In addition, all toll rates will also be adjusted every other year to account for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPI-U) scheduled to begin in 2029. This increased predictability will allow the Illinois Tollway to deliver major capital projects responsibly while maintaining long-term financial stability.
A complete listing of all toll rates for each toll plaza and a trip calculator are available online.
Capital Program Overview
The $26.5 billion Driving Connections capital program will provide significant benefits to drivers and communities by alleviating congestion, improving travel reliability and reducing driving costs.
The program scheduled for 2027 through 2042 will continue the Tollway's legacy of generating significant construction jobs, reinvesting program funds locally and benefiting the regional economy. Investments will include:
More information about the Driving Connections capital program can be found online.
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