How Illinois Tollway Payment by Plate Works

What Payment by Plate Means and How It Works

Payment by Plate is how the Illinois Tollway charges you when you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder (the small electronic device mounted on your windshield). Instead of stopping at a booth, a camera photographs your license plate, and the tollway sends you an invoice by mail.

The system is automatic. You drive through, the camera captures your plate, and within days the tollway processes the image and mails a bill to the vehicle owner's address on file with the Illinois Secretary of State. You then pay by mail, online, or by phone. There is no option to pay at the toll plaza itself—payment by plate is the only way forward if you do not have a transponder.

This matters because payment by plate costs more than using a transponder. A single toll that might cost $1.50 with a transponder can cost $2.50 or more when paid by plate. The difference exists because the tollway absorbs the cost of photographing, processing, and mailing invoices to thousands of drivers daily.

Key Takeaways

• Payment by plate happens automatically when you drive through a toll plaza without a transponder; a camera reads your license plate and the tollway mails you an invoice.
• Tolls paid by plate cost significantly more than tolls paid with a transponder, often 50 to 100 percent higher per crossing.
• You can pay an invoice online at illinoistollway.com, by phone at 1-800-UC-TOLLS, or by mail using the payment stub included with your bill.
• If you drive the tollway regularly, getting a transponder (I-PASS or a compatible device) will lower your per-toll cost and eliminate the need to pay by plate.
• Unpaid tolls accumulate late fees and can eventually result in vehicle registration holds or collection action.

How Much Payment by Plate Costs

The exact toll amount depends on which segment of the tollway you use and the time of day. The Illinois Tollway uses congestion pricing on some routes, meaning tolls are higher during peak traffic hours and lower during off-peak times. Payment by plate tolls are always higher than the transponder rate for the same crossing.

For example, a crossing that costs $1.50 with I-PASS might cost $2.50 or $3.00 when paid by plate. The tollway publishes a toll schedule on its website, but the easiest way to see what you will owe is to check your invoice once it arrives. Each toll crossing is itemized, so you can see exactly which plazas you passed and what each one cost.

If you cross the same toll plazas regularly, the cost difference adds up quickly. A commuter who crosses one toll plaza twice daily on a transponder might pay $30 per month, while the same commuter paying by plate could pay $60 or more for identical crossings.

How to Pay a Tollway Invoice

When your invoice arrives, you have three ways to pay: online, by phone, or by mail. The fastest and most common method is online at illinoistollway.com. You can pay without creating an account—just enter your invoice number (printed on your bill) and the amount due, then pay by debit card or credit card.

By phone, call 1-800-UC-TOLLS (1-800-822-8655) and have your invoice number ready. A representative will process your payment over the phone using a debit or credit card. This method takes a few minutes but is useful if you prefer speaking to someone or have questions about your bill.

By mail, include the payment stub from your invoice along with a check or money order, and send it to the address printed on the bill. Mail payments take longer to process—typically 7 to 10 business days after the tollway receives your envelope—so pay this way only if you cannot pay online or by phone.

Keep a record of your payment confirmation, whether online, by phone, or by mail. If you pay online or by phone, you will receive a confirmation number immediately. If you pay by mail, take a photo of the check or money order before sending it, or use certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

What Happens If You Do Not Pay

Unpaid tolls do not disappear. The tollway adds a late fee to your invoice if you do not pay within a set period (usually 30 days from the invoice date). The late fee is substantial—often $25 to $50 per unpaid toll—and it stacks on top of the original toll amount.

If you continue not to pay, the tollway can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal. When you try to renew your license plates through the Secretary of State, the system will flag your vehicle and deny the renewal until the toll debt is resolved. This is one of the most common ways drivers discover they have unpaid tolls.

In some cases, unpaid tolls are sent to a collection agency. A collection account appears on your credit report and can damage your credit score. The tollway may also pursue legal action to recover the debt, though this is less common for small amounts.

If you receive an invoice you believe is incorrect—for example, you do not recognize the toll plaza or you believe you had a transponder at the time—contact the tollway directly at 1-800-UC-TOLLS before the payment deadline. Disputes are easier to resolve before you pay than after.

Getting a Transponder to Avoid Payment by Plate

I-PASS is the official transponder of the Illinois Tollway. It is a small electronic device that mounts on your windshield and communicates with toll plazas as you drive through. When you have I-PASS, you do not receive payment by plate invoices—the toll is deducted from your prepaid account automatically.

I-PASS costs $25 to open an account, and you load money into it in advance (minimum $25 to $40, depending on your vehicle type). Tolls are deducted from your balance each time you cross a plaza. The per-toll rate with I-PASS is significantly lower than payment by plate, so the transponder pays for itself within a few crossings if you use the tollway regularly.

You can order I-PASS online at illinoistollway.com, by phone at 1-800-UC-TOLLS, or at a customer service center. The device arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once installed, you can add money to your account online, by phone, or at participating retailers.

If you use tolls in other states, some compatible transponders work on the Illinois Tollway as well. Check the tollway website to see which out-of-state devices are accepted. However, I-PASS is the most reliable option in Illinois and offers the lowest rates.

Disputing a Payment by Plate Charge

If you receive an invoice for a toll you do not believe you owe, contact the tollway before paying. Common reasons for disputes include: you had a working transponder at the time, the toll was charged twice for a single crossing, or the date or time does not match your travel.

Call 1-800-UC-TOLLS and explain the issue. Have your invoice number and the date of travel ready. The tollway will review the camera image and your account history. If the charge is found to be an error, it will be removed and you will receive a corrected invoice or a refund.

If you already paid and later discover the charge was wrong, you can still dispute it. Request a refund by phone or through the website. Refunds typically take 4 to 6 weeks to process once approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay a payment by plate toll at a toll plaza in person?

No. The Illinois Tollway does not staff toll booths for cash or card payment. If you do not have a transponder, you must pay by plate through the mail, online, or by phone after receiving your invoice.

How long do I have to pay a payment by plate invoice?

You typically have 30 days from the invoice date before a late fee is added. The exact deadline is printed on your bill. Paying within this window avoids additional charges, though you should pay as soon as you receive the invoice to avoid forgetting.

What if I moved and the tollway sent my invoice to my old address?

Update your address with the Illinois Secretary of State as soon as possible. The tollway uses the vehicle registration address on file. If you moved and did not update your registration, future invoices will go to your old address. Contact the tollway at 1-800-UC-TOLLS to report a change of address for any pending invoices.

Will payment by plate affect my credit score?

A single unpaid toll will not immediately damage your credit. However, if the debt goes unpaid for several months and is sent to a collection agency, it will appear on your credit report and lower your score. Paying invoices on time prevents this outcome.

Is there a discount for paying multiple tolls at once?

No. Each toll is charged individually at the payment by plate rate. The only way to reduce your per-toll cost is to use a transponder like I-PASS, which offers lower rates for all crossings.