Community Corner

Toll Hikes Proposed To Pay For Improvements

The Illinois Tollway Authority proposed a $12 billion capital plan that would be funded with a toll rate hike of 35 cents to 45 cents.

The Illinois Tollway is proposing a $12 billion capital plan that would be funded by rate hikes for motorists.

Tolls would increase by 35 cents at a typical mainline toll plaza. Revenue from the increase would fund capital improvements through 2026. The plan includes:

  • Reconstructing and widening Interstate 90 from Interstate 294 to Rockford.
  • Reconstructing more than 20 miles of the central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and the Edens Spur (I-94)
  • Preserving the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
  • Preserving the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)
  • Repairing roads, bridges and maintenance facilities
  • Other capital projects, including local interchanges

Cash-paying motorists currently pay double the tolls of I-PASS users. Their rates would go up and they would continue to pay double.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Daily Herald reported that some tolls will increase by more than 35 cents. The 35-cent hike would be applied to 40-cent tolls. Other toll plazas would increase by 45 cents.

A press release from the tollway states that this is the first rate hike since 1983, however, rates doubled for non-I-PASS toll users in 2005, the Daily Herald reported.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Tollway will present details of the plan in a series of public hearings in August. Also the Tollway is seeking feedback on its Web site.

Here is a complete schedule of the planned public hearings:

August 18, 7-9 p.m.

  • Cook County - Chicago Ridge City Hall, 10455 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Chicago Ridge, IL
  • DuPage County - DuPage County Government Center, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL
  • Kane County - Kane County Gov. Center, 719 S. Batavia Avenue, Building A, Geneva, IL
  • Will County - Village of New Lenox, 1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox, IL


Aug. 19, 7-9 p.m.

  • Boone County - Community Building, 111 W. 1st Street, Belvidere, IL
  • DeKalb County - NIU-Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL
  • Lake County - Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church Street, Libertyville, IL
  • McHenry County - Village of Huntley, 10987 Main Street, Huntley, IL


Aug. 22, 7-9 p.m.

  • Lee County - Comfort Inn, 154 Plaza Drive, Dixon, IL
  • Ogle County - Comfort Inn & Suites, 1122 N. Seventh Street, Rochelle, IL
  • Whiteside County - Sterling Municipal Building, 212 3rd Avenue, Sterling, IL
  • Winnebago County - Clock Tower Resort, 7801 E. State Street, Rockford, IL


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