What Pay By Plate means for Illinois drivers
Pay By Plate is Illinois's system for collecting tolls from drivers who don't have a toll tag. Instead of stopping at a booth or having a transponder in your car, the Illinois Tollway photographs your license plate as you pass through a toll plaza, then sends you an invoice by mail. You don't need to do anything at the moment you drive through—the bill arrives later, usually within two weeks.
This system applies on the Illinois Tollway system, which includes the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80), and the Chicago Skyway. If you drive through any toll plaza on these roads without a transponder, you're automatically enrolled in Pay By Plate.
The toll amount you pay is higher than what transponder users pay. This is by design—the state charges a surcharge for the cost of photographing and mailing invoices. The difference varies by location and vehicle type, but you can expect to pay roughly 30 to 50 percent more per toll when using Pay By Plate instead of a transponder.
Key Takeaways
- Pay By Plate automatically photographs your license plate and sends you a bill by mail; you don't need to register or sign up.
- Tolls paid through Pay By Plate cost more than transponder tolls because of the surcharge for processing and mailing invoices.
- You can pay your bill online, by phone, or by mail using the invoice number printed on your statement.
- If you drive the Illinois Tollway regularly, switching to a transponder (I-PASS or a compatible tag) will lower your per-toll cost significantly.
- Unpaid tolls accumulate late fees and can eventually result in vehicle registration holds or collection action.
How the invoice arrives and what information it contains
After you pass through a toll plaza, the Tollway's camera system captures your license plate. The Illinois Secretary of State's office matches that plate to your vehicle registration, and the Tollway mails an invoice to the address on file. This process typically takes 10 to 14 days, though it can take longer during high-volume periods.
Your invoice will show the date and time you passed through the toll plaza, the specific location, the toll amount charged, and a unique invoice number. Keep this invoice number handy—you'll need it to pay online or by phone. The invoice also includes instructions for payment and information about what happens if you don't pay.
If you've moved since your vehicle registration was last renewed, the invoice may go to your old address. This is a common reason people miss payments. If you're not receiving invoices, check that your address is current with the Illinois Secretary of State's office and update it if needed.
Payment methods and important date
You can pay your toll invoice in three ways: online through the Illinois Tollway website, by phone at the Tollway customer service number, or by mail. Online and phone payments are processed when ready, while mailed payments take longer to reach the Tollway and be recorded in your account.
The invoice itself does not state a hard important date for payment, but the Tollway expects payment within a reasonable time. If you don't pay, late fees begin to accumulate. The first late fee is typically added 30 days after the invoice date, and additional fees may be added if the account remains unpaid.
If you're paying by mail, send your check or money order to the address listed on your invoice, along with the invoice itself or at minimum the invoice number. Paying online or by phone is faster and reduces the chance of your payment getting lost in the mail.
What happens if you don't pay your toll invoice
Unpaid tolls don't disappear. The Tollway adds late fees to your account, and these fees compound over time. After several months of non-payment, the Tollway may place your account with a collection agency, which can damage your credit score and result in collection calls and letters.
More directly, unpaid tolls can result in a registration hold. The Illinois Secretary of State can prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration if you have outstanding toll debt. This means you cannot legally drive the vehicle, and you cannot sell it without clearing the toll debt first.
If your toll debt is large enough, the Tollway may pursue legal action to recover the amount owed, including court costs and attorney fees. This is rare for a single unpaid toll, but it becomes more likely if you have multiple unpaid invoices over time.
Switching from Pay By Plate to a transponder
If you drive the Illinois Tollway regularly, getting a transponder will save you money. The two main options are I-PASS, which is the official Illinois Tollway transponder, and compatible tags from other states' toll systems (such as E-ZPass from the Northeast or similar programs).
I-PASS requires you to open an account, purchase a tag (usually around $25 to $35), and load money onto it. You can set up automatic replenishment so the account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount. The per-toll cost with I-PASS is significantly lower than Pay By Plate—typically 30 to 50 percent less, depending on the location and vehicle type.
If you already have a compatible transponder from another state, you can often use it on the Illinois Tollway without opening a separate I-PASS account. Check the Tollway website to see which tags are compatible. Once you have a working transponder, you'll no longer receive Pay By Plate invoices for tolls on the Illinois system.
Tolls for different vehicle types and locations
The Illinois Tollway charges different rates depending on your vehicle type and the specific toll plaza. Passenger cars pay one rate, while trucks and vehicles with more axles pay higher rates. Some toll plazas charge more than others based on the road segment.
You can look up the exact toll for a specific route on the Illinois Tollway website by entering your vehicle type and starting and ending locations. This tool shows both the I-PASS rate and the Pay By Plate rate, so you can see the difference before you drive.
If you're unsure whether a particular road is part of the Illinois Tollway system, check the website or look for toll plaza signs as you approach. Not all highways in Illinois are tolled—only the four main Tollway corridors charge tolls.
Updating your address and vehicle information
Pay By Plate invoices are mailed to the address on your vehicle registration. If you move, update your address with the Illinois Secretary of State as soon as possible. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office.
If you sell your vehicle, the new owner becomes responsible for any Pay By Plate invoices that arrive after the sale. Make sure the title transfer is processed promptly so the Tollway's records reflect the new owner's information. If invoices continue to arrive in your name after you've sold the vehicle, contact the Tollway customer service to report the issue.
If you've changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or other reasons, update your registration with the Secretary of State. This ensures that future invoices match your current legal name and that registration holds won't affect you if there's a mismatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dispute a toll charge if I think it's wrong?
Yes. Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service with your invoice number and explain the issue. If the photograph shows a different vehicle or if you believe you were charged twice for the same passage, the Tollway can review the image and adjust your account if warranted. Keep your invoice and any supporting documentation.
What if I never received an invoice?
Check that your address is current with the Illinois Secretary of State. If it is, contact the Tollway directly with your license plate number and the approximate date you drove through the toll plaza. They can look up the toll and send you a new invoice or allow you to pay over the phone.
Do I have to get an I-PASS tag, or can I keep using Pay By Plate?
You're not required to get a transponder. Pay By Plate will continue to work as long as you pay your invoices on time. However, if you use the Tollway frequently, a transponder will save you money and eliminate the need to wait for and process invoices.
What if my vehicle registration is suspended because of unpaid tolls?
You must pay the outstanding toll debt before the Secretary of State will lift the registration hold. Contact the Tollway to find out your total balance, including any late fees, and pay it in full. Once payment is received and processed, contact the Secretary of State to confirm the hold has been removed.
Can someone else's vehicle be charged tolls to my license plate by mistake?
It's possible if your plate number is misread or if there's a clerical error. If you receive an invoice for a toll you didn't drive, contact the Tollway with details about where you actually were at that time. They can review the photograph and correct the error if the vehicle in the image doesn't match yours.