Last updated September 2026
If you drive I-90, I-294, I-88, I-355, or any other Illinois tollway, here’s what’s changing.
With I-PASS or E-ZPass: about 45 cents more per toll starting January 1, 2027. The common 75-cent toll becomes $1.20.
Without a transponder: you pay double the I-PASS rate through Pay By Plate, so about 90 cents more per toll. Pay within 14 days of travel to avoid any fees.
What’s Actually Changing
On August 19, 2026, the Illinois Tollway Board voted 8-0 to approve the hike as part of Driving Connections, a 15-year, $26.5 billion capital plan. It’s the first toll increase for passenger vehicles since 2012.
| Example Toll (I-PASS, passenger car) | Now | Starting Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Most common mainline plaza | $0.75 | $1.20 |
| I-94 Waukegan plaza | $1.40 | $2.25 |
| I-355 Spring Creek plaza | $1.90 | $3.05 |
The bigger long-term change is automatic inflation indexing. Starting in 2029, tolls adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index, capped at 8% per adjustment (4% a year). No new board vote is needed each time, so increases become routine rather than rare.
Still Below the National Average
According to the Tollway, the average I-PASS passenger toll rises from about 7 cents a mile to about 11 cents a mile, still below the national average of about 16 cents a mile.
What It Means for Commuters
A commuter who pays two tolls a day, five days a week, for 50 weeks pays about $225 more in 2027. Longer commutes feel it more: a round trip on I-90 between Barrington and downtown rises from about $600 a year to about $950, according to the Daily Herald. Those figures are before the 2029 inflation adjustments.
Chicago Skyway Is Separate
The Chicago Skyway, the toll bridge to Indiana, is privately operated and isn’t part of the Illinois Tollway. It already went up for 2026: a two-axle vehicle now pays $8.10, a 30-cent increase. Skyway tolls have risen more than 200% since the road was privatized in 2005. Unlike the Tollway, the Skyway still takes cash and credit cards, along with I-PASS and E-ZPass.
I-PASS vs. E-ZPass: How Reciprocity Works
- I-PASS works anywhere E-ZPass is accepted, across roughly 20 states from Maine to North Carolina and west to Illinois.
- E-ZPass from any member state works on Illinois tollways at the same discounted rate as I-PASS. Driving in from Indiana, Ohio, or Pennsylvania? Your existing transponder just works.
- Illinois doesn’t charge a monthly I-PASS fee, unlike some E-ZPass states.
No Transponder? Pay By Plate Explained
Illinois tollways have been fully cashless since 2020. If you don’t have I-PASS or E-ZPass, cameras capture your plate and you owe the toll at the higher non-transponder rate, which is double the I-PASS price.
Pay By Plate gives you 14 days from your travel date to go online, enter your plate and travel dates, and pay with no fees. If you’ve already traveled, backdate your entry to your actual travel date. This is the single most important thing for visitors and occasional drivers to know.
What Happens If You Miss the Window
The Tollway uses a gradual invoice process rather than an immediate fine. Under the schedule the Tollway put in place when it restored fines in 2023:
| Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Within 14 days | Pay online with no fees |
| 30 days | Invoice with a $3 fee per unpaid toll (passenger vehicles) |
| 90 days | Additional $5 fee per unpaid toll |
| 120 days | Notice of violation with a $20 fine per toll |
| 180 days | Unpaid tolls, fees, and fines go to collections |
If money is tight, the Tollway’s assistance program can waive fees and provide a free I-PASS transponder for households earning under 250% of the federal poverty level. Details are at illinoistollway.com.
Transponder Placement: The Detail That Costs People Money
Many “unpaid toll” notices come from a transponder that wasn’t read, not a driver who skipped payment. Mount your I-PASS or E-ZPass on the inside of the windshield, centered and unobstructed by tint or stickers, following the instructions in the box. A transponder tossed in a bag or mounted behind heavily tinted glass often fails to register, and you’ll be billed at the Pay By Plate rate even though you have a working transponder.
Tolls are only part of the cost. Downtown garage rates are steep at walk-up prices, and reserving a spot ahead usually saves money.
Compare & Reserve Chicago ParkingIllinois Tollway FAQ
How much are Illinois tolls going up in 2027?
Starting January 1, 2027, I-PASS and E-ZPass users pay about 45 cents more per toll for passenger vehicles. The most common 75-cent toll becomes $1.20. Commercial vehicle tolls rise about 30%.
Will Illinois tolls keep going up after 2027?
Yes. Starting in 2029, tolls adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index, capped at 8% per adjustment.
Does E-ZPass work on Illinois tollways?
Yes. E-ZPass from any member state works on Illinois tollways at the same discounted rate as I-PASS, and I-PASS works on E-ZPass roads in other states.
What if I drove an Illinois tollway without I-PASS?
Use Pay By Plate on the Illinois Tollway website within 14 days of travel to pay the toll with no fees. The non-transponder rate is double the I-PASS rate.
Is the Chicago Skyway part of the Illinois Tollway?
No. The Skyway is privately operated and sets its own tolls. A two-axle vehicle pays $8.10 in 2026, and the Skyway accepts cash, credit cards, I-PASS, and E-ZPass.
Quick Reference: Illinois Tollway & I-PASS
- New rates January 1, 2027 — about 45¢ more per I-PASS toll
- Inflation increases Every 2 years starting 2029, capped at 8%
- No transponder Double the I-PASS rate; pay within 14 days for no fees
- Out-of-state E-ZPass Works on Illinois tollways at the I-PASS rate
- Missed the window $3 fee at 30 days, +$5 at 90, $20 violation at 120
- Transponder placement Inside windshield, centered, unobstructed
- Chicago Skyway Private, separate — $8.10 for cars in 2026
The rate hike is real, and automatic inflation indexing is the bigger long-term story, but Illinois tolls stay below the national per-mile average. Get I-PASS, mount it correctly, and use Pay By Plate within 14 days if you’re visiting without a transponder.