Chicago tolls are collected by the Illinois Tollway on interstate highways and by the City of Chicago on some local roads

If you drive in Chicago, you will encounter tolls on Interstate 90 (the Kennedy and Dan Ryan expressways), Interstate 88 (the East-West Tollway), Interstate 294 (the Tri-State Tollway), and US Route 41 (the Chicago Skyway). The Illinois Tollway operates the interstate system. The City of Chicago also collects tolls on the Skyway, which runs along the lakefront from downtown to the Indiana border. You can pay tolls in three ways: with a transponder account called I-PASS, with a credit or debit card at toll plazas, or by mail if you miss a toll.

I-PASS is the fastest and cheapest option. The transponder reads automatically as you pass through a toll lane, and you get a discount on every toll—usually 25 to 50 percent off the cash rate. If you do not have I-PASS, you can pay cash at toll plazas on most highways, though some lanes are now cashless and require either I-PASS or a credit card. If you pass through a toll without paying, the tollway will photograph your license plate and send you an invoice by mail.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is a transponder account that gives you a 25 to 50 percent discount on tolls and lets you pass through toll lanes without stopping.
  • You can set up I-PASS online at illinoistollway.com or at a customer service center, and you load money into the account in advance.
  • If you do not have I-PASS, most toll plazas still accept cash or credit cards, but some lanes are cashless and require a transponder or card reader.
  • If you drive through a toll without paying, the tollway will send you an invoice based on your license plate, and you can pay by mail or online.
  • The Chicago Skyway is operated separately by the city and has its own toll rates; I-PASS works on the Skyway but at a different discount than interstate tolls.

Setting up an I-PASS account

To open an I-PASS account, visit illinoistollway.com and click "Open an Account" or go to a customer service center in person. You will need a valid driver's license or state ID, a vehicle registration document, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). The transponder itself costs between $25 and $40 depending on the type, and that cost is added to your account balance.

Once your account is open, the tollway will mail you the transponder, which you mount on the inside of your windshield. You load money into the account before you drive, and the transponder deducts the toll amount each time you pass through a toll lane. When your balance drops below a certain threshold (usually $10), the account automatically recharges using your payment method on file. You can check your balance and transaction history anytime on the website or through the I-PASS mobile app.

I-PASS customer service centers are located at several tollway plazas and in the Chicago area. Hours and locations change, so check the website before you visit. If you prefer not to go in person, you can set up your account entirely online and have the transponder mailed to you.

Paying cash or credit at toll plazas

Most toll plazas on Chicago highways still have lanes that accept cash or credit cards, though the number of these lanes has shrunk in recent years. At a cash lane, you stop at a booth, hand money to an attendant or use a card reader, and receive a receipt. The toll amount varies by location and vehicle type—a passenger car typically pays $1 to $3 per toll, while trucks and larger vehicles pay more.

Many plazas now have "open road tolling" lanes where you do not stop. These lanes require either an I-PASS transponder or a credit card reader mounted on a pole. If you have neither, you cannot use these lanes and must find a traditional toll booth. Some plazas have eliminated cash lanes entirely, so if you do not have I-PASS, call the Illinois Tollway customer service line at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-4727) before you drive to confirm which plazas near your route accept cash.

What happens if you do not pay a toll

If you drive through a toll plaza without paying, a camera photographs your license plate. The Illinois Tollway or City of Chicago will send an invoice to the address on your vehicle registration. The invoice includes the toll amount plus a processing fee, which varies but is typically $5 to $10. You have a important date to pay—usually 30 days from the invoice date—and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.

If you do not pay the invoice within the important date, the tollway may send a second notice with a higher penalty. Repeated unpaid tolls can result in a collections agency involvement and may affect your ability to renew your vehicle registration in Illinois. If you believe you paid the toll or that the invoice is incorrect, you can dispute it by contacting the tollway's customer service line with your receipt or proof of payment.

I-PASS discounts and account management

I-PASS holders pay a discounted toll rate on all Illinois Tollway highways. The discount is typically 25 to 50 percent off the cash rate, depending on the toll location and vehicle type. For example, a toll that costs $2.50 in cash might cost $1.50 with I-PASS. The savings add up quickly if you drive the tollways regularly.

You can manage your account online or through the I-PASS app. You can view your transaction history, adjust your auto-recharge settings, add a second vehicle to your account, or suspend your account if you are not driving for a while. If your transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through your account, and the tollway will mail you a new one.

The Chicago Skyway toll system

The Chicago Skyway is a separate toll road operated by the City of Chicago, not the Illinois Tollway. It runs along Lake Shore Drive from downtown Chicago south to the Indiana border. I-PASS works on the Skyway, but the toll rates and discounts are different from interstate tolls. A passenger car typically pays $2 to $3 in cash or $1.50 to $2 with I-PASS, depending on the direction and time of day.

You can also pay Skyway tolls with a credit card at toll plazas or by mail if you receive an invoice. If you use I-PASS on the Skyway, your account is still managed through the Illinois Tollway website, and the toll is deducted from the same account balance you use on interstate highways. There is no separate Skyway I-PASS account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use I-PASS from another state on Chicago tolls?

Yes, I-PASS works on all Illinois Tollway highways and the Chicago Skyway. If you have a transponder from another state's toll system (such as E-ZPass from the Northeast), it may not work on Illinois roads. Check with the Illinois Tollway before you drive to confirm whether your out-of-state transponder is compatible.

What if I lose my I-PASS transponder?

Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line or log into your account online to report the loss. You can request a replacement transponder, which will be mailed to you. There is usually a replacement fee of $10 to $15. Until you receive the new transponder, you can pay tolls with cash or a credit card at toll plazas.

Do I have to pay tolls if I am just driving through Chicago?

If your route takes you on an interstate highway or the Skyway, yes, you will encounter tolls. If you can take local roads that are not tollways, you can avoid tolls, but this may add significant time to your trip. Most major routes through Chicago use at least one tollway.

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

Yes, if your account balance is positive when you close it or if you have overpaid, you can request a refund through the Illinois Tollway website or by calling customer service. Refunds are typically processed within two to four weeks.

What if I disagree with a toll invoice sent to my home?

You can dispute the invoice by contacting the Illinois Tollway or City of Chicago (depending on which road the toll was on) with your receipt, proof of payment, or photos of your transponder. Include your invoice number and the date of the toll. The tollway will review your dispute and may adjust or cancel the charge if you provide sufficient evidence.