What Pay by Plate Illinois is and how it charges you

Pay by Plate Illinois is a tolling system that photographs your license plate as you drive through toll plazas on Illinois highways, then sends you an invoice by mail. You do not stop at a booth or use a transponder — the camera reads your plate, and the state bills you later. This system runs the Illinois Tollway, which includes the Chicago area's major toll roads.

When you drive through a toll plaza, a camera captures your license plate number and the date and time. The Illinois Tollway matches that plate to your vehicle registration and mails an invoice to the address on file with the Secretary of State. The bill arrives weeks after you drive through, not when ready. If you do not pay within the timeframe shown on the invoice, late fees and penalties begin to accumulate.

Pay by Plate is the default system for anyone without a I-PASS transponder (the electronic toll device that Illinois Tollway customers can purchase separately). If you have an I-PASS, tolls are deducted from your account balance instead, and you typically pay a lower rate per toll.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay by Plate sends you a mailed invoice weeks after you drive through a toll plaza, based on your license plate and vehicle registration.
  • You must pay the invoice within the important date stated on the bill, or late fees and penalties will be added to your balance.
  • Tolls cost more under Pay by Plate than they do with an I-PASS transponder, so frequent toll road users often save money by switching to I-PASS.
  • If you move or change your vehicle registration, update your address with the Secretary of State so invoices reach you on time.
  • You can dispute a toll charge if you believe it was issued in error, but you must contact the Illinois Tollway within a specific timeframe.

How much you pay and what happens if you miss the important date

The toll amount depends on which road you use and how far you travel. The Illinois Tollway publishes toll rates on its website, and rates vary between the I-90, I-88, I-294, and I-355 corridors. Pay by Plate tolls are higher than I-PASS rates — typically 50 to 100 percent more per crossing, depending on the road.

When you receive an invoice, it shows the toll amount, the date you drove through, and a payment important date. If you pay by that date, you owe only the toll. If you do not pay by the important date, a late fee is added — the amount varies but typically ranges from $5 to $25 per unpaid toll. If the bill remains unpaid for several months, additional penalties and collection fees may be added, and the debt can be referred to a collection agency or reported to credit bureaus.

The Illinois Tollway can also place a hold on vehicle registration renewal if tolls and fees go unpaid for an extended period. This means you cannot renew your license plates until the debt is settled. In some cases, unpaid tolls can affect your ability to renew your driver's license as well.

Why your invoice might not arrive or might be delayed

Invoices are mailed to the address registered with the Illinois Secretary of State for your vehicle. If you recently moved and have not updated your vehicle registration, the bill will go to your old address and you may not see it until weeks later — or not at all. By then, the payment important date may have passed and late fees will have been added.

Occasionally, the Illinois Tollway's camera system misreads a plate, captures a plate from a vehicle in front of or behind yours, or issues a toll to the wrong vehicle entirely. If you receive a bill for a toll you did not incur, or if you were not driving that vehicle on the date shown, you can dispute it. Contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line or file a dispute through their website, and provide any evidence you have — such as proof you were out of state or that the vehicle was not in use that day.

Switching to I-PASS to lower your toll costs

If you use Illinois toll roads regularly, purchasing an I-PASS transponder can save you money. I-PASS is an electronic toll collection device that you mount on your windshield. When you drive through a toll plaza, the transponder communicates with the reader, and the toll is deducted from your prepaid account. I-PASS tolls are typically 30 to 50 percent cheaper than Pay by Plate tolls on the same roads.

You can purchase an I-PASS transponder through the Illinois Tollway website or at customer service centers. The transponder itself costs around $20 to $30, and you load money onto your account before or as you drive. You can set up automatic replenishment so your account refills when the balance drops below a certain amount. This eliminates the need to wait for invoices and pay late fees.

I-PASS also works on toll roads in other states, including Indiana, Ohio, and parts of the Northeast, so if you travel outside Illinois, the transponder remains useful. Switching to I-PASS requires a one-time purchase and setup, but the per-toll savings add up quickly for frequent users.

What to do if you receive a Pay by Plate bill you cannot pay right away

If you receive an invoice and cannot pay by the important date, contact the Illinois Tollway as soon as possible. Explain your situation — they may be able to extend the important date or work out a payment plan, though this is not may provide. The longer you wait, the more penalties accumulate, so reaching out before the important date passes is important.

Some people set up a payment plan to spread the cost over several months, though interest or additional fees may explore depending on the arrangement. Others pay what they can by the important date and then contact the Tollway to discuss the remaining balance. Ignoring the bill will not make it go away; it will only result in higher fees, collection action, and registration holds.

Keeping track of your Pay by Plate account and payments

The Illinois Tollway does not automatically send you statements or reminders, so you rely on receiving invoices by mail. If you want to check your account balance or see a history of tolls you have been charged, you can create an online account on the Illinois Tollway website. This allows you to view invoices, make payments, and update your contact information in one place.

Creating an online account is optional but useful if you want to monitor your tolls and may support you do not miss a payment important date. You can also set up email notifications so you are alerted when a new invoice is issued. If you move, update your address in your online account and with the Secretary of State so future invoices reach you on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dispute a toll charge if I think it was wrong?

Yes. Contact the Illinois Tollway within 30 days of receiving the invoice and provide details about why you believe the charge is incorrect. Include any evidence, such as proof you were not in the state or that your vehicle was not in use. The Tollway will investigate and either remove the charge or explain why it stands.

What happens if I never pay a Pay by Plate bill?

Late fees and penalties accumulate, and the debt may be sent to a collection agency. The Illinois Tollway can place a hold on your vehicle registration renewal, preventing you from renewing your license plates. In some cases, unpaid tolls can also affect driver's license renewal.

Do I have to use Pay by Plate, or can I avoid toll roads?

You are not required to use toll roads, but many major highways in the Chicago area are part of the Illinois Tollway system. If you want to use those roads, you either pay by plate or purchase an I-PASS transponder. There is no way to use the toll roads without paying.

How long does it take to receive a Pay by Plate invoice?

Invoices typically arrive two to four weeks after you drive through a toll plaza. The exact timeframe depends on mail delivery and how quickly the Tollway processes the plate image. Check your mail regularly so you do not miss the payment important date.

Can I get a refund if I overpaid my toll bill?

If you believe you were overcharged or paid more than you owed, contact the Illinois Tollway customer service to request a review. If they confirm an error, they can issue a refund or credit to your account. Keep copies of your payment receipts in case you need to provide proof.