Illinois Tollway Approves Historic Toll Increase Beginning in 2027
Yesterday, the Illinois Toll Board approved the largest toll increase in Illinois history. All 8 members of the Illinois Toll Board voted for the historic toll hike to fund a $ 26.5 billion, 15-year capital improvement plan. The capital improvement plan is designed to fund major transportation infrastructure projects across northern Illinois, including roadway reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation, interchange upgrades, and technology improvements.
The newly approved toll hike will take effect Jan 1st of 2027, and run through 2042, increasing the toll on passenger vehicles by 57% and commercial vehicles by 30%. Tolls will also increase automatically based on an inflation index, which may raise tolls further every two years. “The Illinois Policy Institute projects that passenger toll prices will triple from current levels by 2055.”
While the toll increase was under consideration, 13,750 Illinois residents submitted public comments to the board, and 10,500 (76%) opposed it. Governor Pritzker appointed the Toll Board’s Eight members. J.B Pritzker and Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi are former members of the Illinois Toll Board.
Opponents of the capital improvement plan believe the toll hike is meant to repair the Governor’s relationship with construction unions, which were upset about last year’s mass transit bill that redirected about $1 billion a year from the road fund to the Chicago Transit Authority. Two tollway board members, Vice Chairman Jim Connolly and Jim Sweeney, represent labor unions whose members will be employed and paid with money generated by the toll hikes.
In 2025, the Illinois Tollway collected $ 1.75 billion in toll revenue, $1.3 billion more than it spent on maintenance and operations.
Should you have any questions about the Illinois Tollway capital improvement plan or other developments affecting construction, transportation, logistics, and related industries, please contact the qualified attorneys at Rock Fusco & Connelly, LLC.