How to Pay Illinois Tolls and Understand Your Options

How Illinois toll payment works

Illinois tolls are collected on highways and bridges run by the Illinois Tollway, a state agency. You can pay tolls three ways: with cash at a toll booth, with an I-PASS account that charges your credit card or bank account, or by mail if you don't have either. The method you choose affects how much you pay—I-PASS holders get a discount, while drivers who pay cash or by mail pay the full rate.

The Illinois Tollway operates the toll roads, not local governments. The main toll highways are Interstate 90 (the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway), Interstate 88 (the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway), Interstate 294 (the Tri-State Tollway), and Interstate 80 (the Veterans Memorial Tollway). If you drive on any of these roads, you will encounter tolls.

Key Takeaways

• I-PASS is a prepaid account that gives you a discount on tolls and lets you drive through toll plazas without stopping; you can open one online or by mail.
• Cash payment at toll booths costs more per toll than I-PASS but requires no account or advance setup.
• If you don't pay a toll, the Illinois Tollway will send you an invoice by mail; if you ignore it, late fees and collection action can follow.
• I-PASS accounts are tied to a vehicle license plate, so you need to update your account if you change cars or sell your current one.
• You can check your I-PASS balance and toll history online through the Illinois Tollway website or by calling their customer service line.

Opening and funding an I-PASS account

An I-PASS account is a prepaid toll account linked to your vehicle's license plate. You load money into the account, and tolls are deducted automatically as you drive through toll plazas. The discount is significant—I-PASS users pay roughly half the cash toll rate on most roads.

You can open an I-PASS account online at the Illinois Tollway website (illinoistollway.com), by phone at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277), or by mail. Online is fastest. You will need your vehicle's license plate number, a valid driver's license or ID, and a credit card or bank account for automatic payments. The account itself is free to open.

When you set up the account, you choose how much money to deposit upfront—typically between $25 and $100. The Illinois Tollway then deducts tolls from that balance as you drive. When your balance drops below a certain threshold (usually around $10), the system automatically charges your credit card or bank account to refill it. You can also manually add money anytime through the website or by phone.

If you have multiple vehicles, you need a separate I-PASS for each one. Each account is tied to one license plate. If you sell your car or buy a new one, you must update your account with the new plate number or open a new account.

Paying tolls without an I-PASS account

If you don't have an I-PASS, you can pay tolls in cash at toll booths staffed by attendants. Cash tolls cost more than I-PASS rates. You hand the attendant cash, and they give you change. This method requires no advance setup and works if you only drive Illinois toll roads occasionally.

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying and don't have an I-PASS, the Illinois Tollway will photograph your license plate and mail you an invoice. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a processing fee. You have a deadline to pay—usually 30 days from the invoice date. Payment can be made online, by phone, or by mail. If you miss the deadline, late fees are added and the debt can be referred to a collection agency.

Some toll plazas have all-electronic lanes that only accept I-PASS or credit cards—no cash. If you drive through one of these lanes without a valid payment method, you will receive an invoice by mail. Check the Illinois Tollway website to see which plazas have all-electronic lanes before you drive.

What happens if you don't pay a toll

When you drive through a toll plaza without paying, the Illinois Tollway's cameras capture your license plate. The state then mails an invoice to the address on file with the Secretary of State for that vehicle. The invoice includes the toll amount, a processing fee, and instructions for payment.

If you pay within the deadline (usually 30 days), you pay only the toll plus the processing fee. If you don't pay by the deadline, the Illinois Tollway adds a late fee. The amount varies but can be substantial. If the debt remains unpaid, it can be sent to a collection agency, which will attempt to collect the full amount including collection costs.

Unpaid tolls can also affect your ability to renew your vehicle registration. The Illinois Secretary of State may hold your registration renewal until toll debt is cleared. Additionally, if the debt is large enough or remains unpaid long enough, it may be reported to credit bureaus and damage your credit score.

If you received an invoice you believe is wrong—for example, you paid in cash but were still billed—contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS to dispute it. Have your invoice number and payment proof ready.

Checking your I-PASS balance and history

You can check your I-PASS balance, recent toll charges, and account details anytime through the Illinois Tollway website. Log in with your account number and password. The website shows each toll you've paid, the date, the location, and the amount deducted.

You can also call 1-800-UC-IPASS to speak with a customer service representative. They can tell you your current balance, recent transactions, and help you troubleshoot problems like a low balance or a toll that appears incorrect.

If your I-PASS balance is running low and you have automatic replenishment set up, the system will charge your credit card or bank account automatically. You can adjust the replenishment amount or turn it off through your online account settings, though turning it off means you must manually add money before your balance runs out.

Updating your account when you change vehicles

If you sell your car or buy a new one, you must update your I-PASS account with the new license plate number. The account is tied to the plate, not to you personally. If you don't update it, tolls will still be deducted from your old account, and the new owner of your old car may receive invoices for tolls you paid.

To update your plate, log into your I-PASS account online and change the license plate number in your account settings. You can also call 1-800-UC-IPASS to make the change over the phone. The change takes effect immediately. If you're buying a used car that already has an I-PASS account attached to it, contact the Illinois Tollway to transfer the account to your name and payment method.

If you're moving out of Illinois and won't be using toll roads anymore, you can close your I-PASS account online or by phone. Any remaining balance will be refunded to your original payment method, though the refund may take several weeks to process.

Special situations and discounts

The Illinois Tollway offers discounted I-PASS rates for certain groups. Transponder discounts (a lower per-toll rate) are available for low-income drivers, seniors, and people with disabilities. To may have access to, you must meet income or age requirements and provide proof. Contact the Illinois Tollway at 1-800-UC-IPASS for details on how to apply for a discounted rate.

If you have a commercial vehicle or operate a fleet, the Illinois Tollway has separate accounts and rates. Contact their commercial customer service line for information on fleet accounts and volume discounts.

If you're a frequent traveler who crosses into neighboring states with toll roads (Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin), some of those states' toll systems are compatible with I-PASS or offer reciprocal payment arrangements. Check the Illinois Tollway website for details on interoperability with other states' systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use I-PASS in other states?

I-PASS works on toll roads in Indiana, Ohio, and some other states that participate in the E-ZPass network. However, you may not get the discounted rate in those states—you'll pay the out-of-state rate. Check the Illinois Tollway website for a list of compatible systems before traveling.

What if my I-PASS transponder is lost or damaged?

Contact the Illinois Tollway at 1-800-UC-IPASS to report it. They can deactivate the old transponder and mail you a replacement. There may be a replacement fee. Until you receive the new transponder, you can still drive toll roads, but you'll be billed by mail using your license plate.

How long does it take to set up an I-PASS account?

Online applications are processed immediately, and your account is active right away. However, the physical transponder (the device that goes on your windshield) takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail. You can drive toll roads before the transponder arrives—tolls will be billed to your plate until it does.

Can I get a refund if I overpaid my I-PASS account?

Yes. If your account has a balance remaining when you close it or if you believe you were overcharged, contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line. Refunds are processed to your original payment method and typically take several weeks.

What if I moved and my address on file is outdated?

Update your address through your I-PASS account online or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS. This ensures invoices and account statements reach you. If you've already missed mail because of an old address, contact customer service to see if they can resend documents or adjust deadlines.