FAQ: Illinois Tollway public hearings on rate hikes
The tollway board could soon approve the largest passenger toll hike in state history and automatic inflation-linked increases every other year. Here is how and where you can comment before the vote.
Illinois Tollway drivers have until noon Aug. 3 to tell the board online or at public hearings what they think about proposed toll increases.
The Tollway Board proposes raising passenger tolls by about 45 cents each and commercial tolls by 30% starting Jan. 1. One vote also would authorize automatic inflation-linked increases every two years beginning in 2029 with no expiration date.
The toll hike would fund the 15-year, $26.5 billion Driving Connections capital plan. For 2025 the Illinois Tollway recorded the highest toll revenue and highest net operating revenue in its history.
Average commercial toll prices are also at their highest in history, meaning an increase could raise the cost of goods transported through Northern Illinois.
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about making your voice heard:
How much could the increase starting in 2027 cost me?
That depends on the route. A driver passing through two toll plazas per day would see an increase of about 90 cents a day. Taking such a route five days a week for 50 weeks would cost about $225 more a year, before the automatic increases begin.
Drivers can use the Tollway’s trip calculator to compare current and proposed charges for a specific route.
What happens at the public hearings?
Comments made in-person or online before the noon Aug. 3 deadline become part of a public record. The hearings will not include a final vote; the next regular tollway board meeting at which the increase could be approved is Aug. 19.
When and where are the public hearings?
Am I allowed to attend the hearing only in my county?
No. The Tollway says all comments will get equal consideration.
How do I comment if I cannot attend a public hearing?
Online comments, U.S. mail and comment cards at tollway centers are accepted.
Online comments can be made here.
Mailed comments should go to the Illinois Tollway Communications Department, 2700 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515.
Comment cards can be filled out at any Tollway customer service center.
Only comments submitted before the noon Aug. 3 deadline will be taken into consideration and placed in the official record. Mailed comments should be sent early enough to arrive by the deadline.
What should I expect if I want to speak at a hearing?
The Tollway board will present information about the capital plan and proposed rates, then receive public feedback. The agency has not published a time limit for speakers, so preparing a focused one- or two-minute statement is the safest approach.
Good practices for making a comment at a public hearing include an introduction, stating clearly whether you support or oppose the proposal, and asking the board for a specific action, such as rejecting the proposal or requiring a vote before each future increase.
For example: ““My name is [name], and I live in [community]. I pass through [x number] of tolls per day on my way to [x]. I oppose raising passenger tolls by about 45 cents and authorizing automatic inflation increases without future board votes. I urge the board to reject automatic toll hikes and instead pursue a more transparent, accountable plan that protects drivers from open-ended increases.”
Who will make the final decision?
The Illinois Tollway has an 11-member board. The governor and Illinois secretary of transportation serve as ex-officio members, and the governor appoints the other nine directors with the consent of the Illinois Senate.
The proposal could be approved at next regular board meeting Aug. 19. If approved, the initial rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. New rates must be publicized at least 30 days before they take effect.
Will public comments change the decision?
Submitting a comment does not guarantee the board will change or reject the plan. It does ensure the driver’s position becomes part of the record before the board acts.