Drivers paid nearly $27 billion in Illinois tolls since promise of free roads
Record revenues come as state considers largest passenger toll hike in history

CHICAGO (April 13, 2026) — When lawmakers created the Illinois Tollway in 1953, they promised the state it would be “Toll free by ’73.” Instead, drivers paid nearly $26.8 billion in Illinois tolls from then through 2024, according to new research from the Illinois Policy Institute.

Now, the Illinois Tollway is considering the largest passenger toll hike in state history. State leaders gave the board the option to approve a $1 billion toll hike that would raise passenger tolls by up to 45 cents and increase commercial tolls by as much as 30%, all while the agency reports its highest net revenue in history.

This comes as drivers paid more in tolls in 2024 than any year since toll collection began, the institute found, totaling nearly $1.44 billion. Commercial drivers generated more than half of toll revenue despite making up just 13% of transactions.

What to know about Illinois tolls:  

• Illinois has a total of nearly 300 centerline miles of toll roads spanning 12 counties. Originally authorized in the 1950s, the tollway system was intended to be temporary, with bonds paid off by 1973. However, lawmakers made the system permanent before that promise was fulfilled.
• Since 1973, toll revenues have consistently exceeded the cost of maintaining and operating the tollway system. In total, from 1973 through 2024 the tollway collected nearly $20.7 billion more than needed for maintenance and operations, including nearly $1.28 billion in surplus revenue in 2024 alone.
• The toll hike proposal would introduce automatic toll increases tied to inflation beginning in 2029, potentially raising costs for drivers indefinitely. It would function similarly to Illinois’ annual gas tax increase.
• Higher fees on commercial vehicles could lead to higher prices on consumer goods.

“With toll revenues at all-time highs and billions already collected from drivers, there is no clear justification for adopting the largest passenger toll hike in the tollway’s history,” said Patrick Andriesen, senior writer for the Illinois Policy Institute. “Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed the tollway board and signed the transit legislation that included the hike. If the tollway board moves forward with an unnecessary tax hike on drivers at a time when transportation costs are already so high, Pritzker will be to blame.”

The board of the Illinois Tollway would need to approve the hike by Dec. 2 for the toll to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The next board meeting is April 16.

To read more about Illinois tollway costs and proposed increases, visit illin.is/illinoistolls.

For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.