Chicago tolls can be paid online through I-PASS, the state's electronic toll collection system, or through a one-time payment portal if you don't have an account

If you drive on Chicago's tollways—the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-355), or the Chicago Skyway—you'll encounter tolls. You have two main ways to pay online: set up an I-PASS account for regular use, or pay individual tolls after you've driven through a toll plaza. The method you choose depends on how often you use the tollways and whether you want to prepay or settle charges later.

Most Chicago toll plazas no longer accept cash or credit cards at the booth, so online payment or I-PASS is your only option. If you don't pay within 14 days of driving through a toll plaza, late fees are added and your costs can double or triple. Setting up I-PASS saves money if you use the tollways regularly because I-PASS rates are 30 to 50 percent lower than cash rates.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is Illinois's electronic toll system; you can open an account online at ipass.illinois.gov and link a payment method to pay tolls automatically.
  • If you don't have I-PASS, you can pay tolls online through the toll violation payment portal within 14 days of driving through a toll plaza.
  • I-PASS users pay a lower toll rate than drivers who pay by mail or online after the fact, so frequent users save money with an account.
  • You can manage your I-PASS account online to add funds, update payment methods, view toll history, and receive low-balance alerts.
  • The Chicago Skyway has its own payment system separate from I-PASS; Skyway tolls can be paid through the Skyway toll violation portal or by setting up a Skyway account.

Setting up an I-PASS account online

Visit ipass.illinois.gov and click "Open an Account" to start. You'll need to provide your name, address, phone number, email, and driver's license number. You'll also need a valid payment method—a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Illinois residents and non-residents can both open accounts; there's no residency requirement.

Once your account is created, you can order a transponder (the small device that mounts on your windshield) or use a video tolling option if available on certain roads. The transponder costs $25 to $40 depending on the type, and this fee is added to your account. After you receive and set up your transponder, tolls are deducted automatically from your prepaid balance as you drive through toll plazas. You can also add a vehicle to an existing I-PASS account if you own multiple cars; each vehicle needs its own transponder, but they all draw from the same account balance and payment method.

Paying tolls without an I-PASS account

If you drove through a toll plaza without I-PASS, the toll authority will send you a bill by mail or you can pay online through the toll violation payment portal. You have 14 days from the date you drove through the toll plaza to pay online before a late fee is added. After 14 days, the toll amount increases significantly—typically doubling or more—and additional penalties may explore.

To pay online without an account, go to the Illinois toll violation payment portal (the link is usually included in any notice you receive, or you can find it through ipass.illinois.gov). You'll need to enter your license plate number, the date you drove through the toll plaza, and the toll amount. Payment is accepted by credit card or debit card only through this portal. This method is more expensive than I-PASS because you pay the full cash toll rate rather than the discounted I-PASS rate. If you use Chicago tollways regularly, opening an I-PASS account saves money over time.

Managing your I-PASS account online

Once you have an I-PASS account, log in at ipass.illinois.gov to view your balance, toll history, and upcoming charges. You can add funds to your account at any time by linking a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Most accounts are set to auto-replenish, meaning funds are automatically added when your balance drops below a certain threshold—usually $10.

You can also update your payment method, change your email or phone number, view detailed toll records by date and location, and set up low-balance alerts so you're notified before your account runs out of money. If you need to pause your account temporarily, you can suspend it online without losing your balance or transponder. If you lose your transponder or it stops working, you can order a replacement through your account; the replacement fee is typically $25 to $40, depending on the device type.

Chicago Skyway tolls and separate payment

The Chicago Skyway, which connects downtown Chicago to the Indiana Toll Road, operates separately from the I-PASS system. If you use the Skyway, you can pay tolls through the Skyway toll violation payment portal or by opening a dedicated Skyway account at skyway.org.

Skyway tolls are higher than I-PASS tolls on other Illinois tollways, and the payment process is similar: you either set up an account with auto-pay or pay individual tolls within 14 days of driving through. Late payments on the Skyway also incur additional fees. Some drivers use both I-PASS and a Skyway account if they regularly travel both systems.

Toll rates and how I-PASS saves money

I-PASS users pay a lower rate per toll than drivers who pay cash or by mail. The exact discount varies by road and toll plaza, but I-PASS rates are typically 30 to 50 percent lower than cash rates. This means if you drive Chicago tollways more than a few times per month, the $25 to $40 transponder cost pays for itself quickly.

Rates also vary depending on the time of day on some roads. Peak-hour tolls are higher than off-peak tolls, and this applies to both I-PASS and cash payers. Your I-PASS account statement will show the exact rate you paid for each toll, broken down by date and location, so you can track your spending over time.

What to do if you receive a toll violation notice

If you receive a notice in the mail for unpaid tolls, it means the toll authority couldn't match your vehicle to an I-PASS account or you didn't pay within the 14-day window. The notice will include the toll amount, the date you drove through, and instructions for payment. You can pay online through the toll violation portal, by mail, or by phone—the notice will list all three options.

If you believe the notice is incorrect—for example, if you already paid or if the toll amount is wrong—you can dispute it by contacting the Illinois Tollway customer service. Keep any proof of payment you have, such as a credit card statement or I-PASS account history, to support your dispute. Paying as soon as you receive a notice keeps costs lowest and prevents additional collection efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay Chicago tolls with a credit card at the toll plaza?

Most Chicago toll plazas no longer accept cash or credit cards at the booth. You must use I-PASS, pay online within 14 days, or receive a bill by mail. Some plazas have video tolling, which photographs your license plate and sends you a bill automatically.

What happens if I don't pay a Chicago toll within 14 days?

After 14 days, a late fee is added to the original toll amount, typically doubling or tripling the cost. If you continue not to pay, additional penalties and collection efforts may follow. Paying as soon as you receive a notice keeps costs lowest.

Can I use I-PASS in other states?

I-PASS works on tollways in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio through reciprocal agreements. However, rates and accepted transponder types vary by state. Check the I-PASS website for a list of compatible toll systems before traveling out of state.

Do I need a separate account for the Chicago Skyway?

Yes, the Skyway operates independently from I-PASS. You can pay Skyway tolls through its own portal or account at skyway.org. Some drivers maintain both accounts if they use both systems regularly.

How do I know my I-PASS balance is running low?

You can set up email or text alerts through your I-PASS account to notify you when your balance drops below a set amount, usually $10. You can also log in anytime to check your current balance and toll history.