How you pay Illinois tolls depends on which road you use and whether you set up an account in advance

Illinois operates toll roads through two separate systems: the Illinois Tollway (which runs I-90, I-88, I-355, and Illinois Route 390) and the Chicago Skyway (a separate toll bridge). Each has its own payment methods and account structure. You can pay tolls by setting up a prepaid account, paying cash at toll plazas where they still exist, or having tolls charged to your vehicle registration if you don't have an account. The method you choose affects how much you pay per crossing and whether you get discounts.

Most Illinois drivers now use I-PASS, the state's electronic toll collection system run by the Illinois Tollway. I-PASS is a transponder — a small device you mount on your windshield that communicates with toll readers as you pass through. If you don't have I-PASS, the Tollway photographs your license plate and bills you by mail, but this method costs significantly more per toll.

Key Takeaways

  • I-PASS is a prepaid account with a windshield transponder that charges tolls automatically and costs less per crossing than paying by mail.
  • If you don't have I-PASS, the Illinois Tollway photographs your plate and sends you a bill by mail, but the per-toll rate is higher.
  • You can open an I-PASS account online, by phone, or at a customer service center, and you load money into it before you drive.
  • The Chicago Skyway uses a separate system called Skyway E-PASS or accepts payment by mail; it is not part of the Illinois Tollway network.
  • Discounts are available for I-PASS holders, including a 25 percent reduction on most tolls compared to the pay-by-mail rate.

Setting up an I-PASS account

To open an I-PASS account, you need a valid driver's license or state ID, a vehicle registration, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account). You can set up an account online at ipass.illinois.gov, by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277), or in person at an I-PASS customer service center. The online process takes about 10 minutes and you can order a transponder to be mailed to you or pick one up at a retail location.

When you create your account, you choose an initial prepaid balance — most people start with $25 to $100. The account is tied to your vehicle's license plate, so if you drive multiple vehicles, you can add additional transponders to the same account. Once your transponder arrives and you mount it on your windshield, tolls are deducted automatically as you pass through toll plazas. Your account balance decreases with each toll, and you can set up automatic replenishment so money is added when your balance drops below a threshold you choose.

Paying tolls without an I-PASS account

If you don't have an I-PASS transponder, the Illinois Tollway uses automatic license plate recognition to photograph your vehicle as you pass through a toll plaza. The Tollway then mails you an invoice with the toll amount due. This method is legal and you are not required to have I-PASS, but the per-toll cost is substantially higher — typically 25 to 50 percent more than the I-PASS rate for the same crossing.

Payment by mail is slower and less convenient. You receive a bill in the mail, usually within two weeks of crossing the toll plaza, and you must pay by the due date or face late fees and potential collection action. If you travel the Illinois Tollway frequently, the cost difference between I-PASS and pay-by-mail can add up to hundreds of dollars per year. Some drivers use pay-by-mail only for occasional trips or rental vehicles, then switch to I-PASS for regular commuting.

I-PASS discounts and rates

I-PASS holders receive a discount on nearly every toll crossing on the Illinois Tollway. The exact discount varies by location and time of day, but the standard reduction is approximately 25 percent compared to the pay-by-mail rate. Some tolls have additional discounts during off-peak hours or for frequent users. You can view current toll rates and discounts on the Illinois Tollway website before you travel.

The Tollway also offers a Frequent User Discount program for I-PASS accounts that cross certain toll plazas more than a set number of times per month. If you may have access to, your account is credited with an additional percentage off those tolls. This discount is automatic — you do not need to do anything to enroll once your account meets the threshold.

The Chicago Skyway payment system

The Chicago Skyway is a separate toll facility from the Illinois Tollway, even though both are in Illinois. The Skyway uses its own electronic toll system called Skyway E-PASS, which is not the same as I-PASS. You can set up a Skyway E-PASS account at skyway.org or pay tolls by mail using license plate recognition, just as with the Tollway. The Skyway E-PASS also offers a discount compared to the pay-by-mail rate.

If you use both the Illinois Tollway and the Chicago Skyway regularly, you need separate accounts for each system. Some drivers maintain both I-PASS and Skyway E-PASS transponders on the same vehicle. The two systems do not share prepaid balances, so you must manage each account independently.

Managing your I-PASS account and replenishing your balance

You can manage your I-PASS account online at ipass.illinois.gov or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS. From your account dashboard, you can view your current balance, see a history of recent tolls, update your payment method, and set up automatic replenishment. Automatic replenishment is the most common way to keep your account active — you choose a minimum balance (for example, $10) and a replenishment amount (for example, $50), and the system automatically charges your payment method when your balance falls below the minimum.

If your account balance runs out while you are driving, your transponder will still work at toll plazas, but your account will go into a negative balance. The Tollway will send you a bill for the negative amount, and you must pay it to keep your account active. To avoid this, most drivers set their automatic replenishment threshold high enough that they never run out of balance between charges.

What happens if your transponder is lost, damaged, or you change vehicles

If your I-PASS transponder is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through your online account or by calling customer service. There is usually a small fee for a replacement transponder, typically $5 to $10. While you wait for the replacement to arrive, your account is still active and tolls can still be charged to your license plate using the pay-by-mail method, though at the higher rate.

If you sell your vehicle or switch to a different car, you can transfer your I-PASS transponder to the new vehicle by updating your account online or calling customer service. You provide the new vehicle's license plate number, and the transponder is linked to that plate. If you no longer need I-PASS, you can close your account and request a refund of any remaining balance, though the Tollway may deduct an account closure fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use I-PASS in other states?

I-PASS works on toll roads in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio through an interoperability agreement. However, it does not work in other states like Florida, Texas, or New York, which use their own toll collection systems. If you travel to other states with toll roads, you may need to set up separate accounts or pay by mail.

What if I get a toll bill in the mail but I have I-PASS?

This usually means your transponder was not read properly at the toll plaza, or your account was not linked to your vehicle's license plate at the time you crossed. Contact I-PASS customer service with the bill details and your account number, and they can investigate and potentially credit your account or adjust the charge.

Do rental cars have I-PASS transponders?

Most rental car companies do not provide I-PASS transponders in their vehicles. If you rent a car in Illinois and use toll roads, you will be billed by mail at the pay-by-mail rate. Some rental companies offer their own toll payment programs, so ask when you pick up the vehicle.

How long does it take to receive an I-PASS transponder after I order one?

Mail delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days after you order online or by phone. You can also pick up a transponder when ready at an I-PASS customer service center or at certain retail locations like gas stations, though not all locations stock them.

What if my I-PASS account balance is negative?

The Tollway will send you a bill for the negative balance. You must pay it within the due date shown on the bill, or late fees and collection action may follow. To avoid this, set your automatic replenishment threshold high enough that your balance never drops to zero.