You can pay Chicago tollway tolls online through the Illinois Tollway's official website or through your toll tag account

The Illinois Tollway operates the toll roads around Chicago, including I-90, I-88, I-355, and I-294. If you drive these roads regularly or occasionally, you'll receive bills for tolls you've passed through. The Illinois Tollway offers an online payment option so you don't have to pay by mail or in person.

The method you use depends on whether you have a toll tag (an electronic device mounted on your windshield) or you were photographed by a toll booth camera. Both can be paid online, but the steps are slightly different.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit www.illinoistollway.com to pay tolls online using your invoice number or toll tag account.
  • If you have a toll tag, you can set up automatic payments or pay a single bill through your account dashboard.
  • If you received a bill by mail, you'll need the invoice number printed on that bill to pay online.
  • The Illinois Tollway accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers for online payment.
  • Payment typically processes within one business day, though the tollway recommends paying before the due date shown on your bill.

Paying through the Illinois Tollway website

Go to www.illinoistollway.com and look for the "Pay a Toll Bill" or "Make a Payment" option on the homepage. You'll be asked to enter either your invoice number (found on a bill you received in the mail) or your toll tag account number.

If you're paying a mailed bill, have that invoice in front of you. The invoice number is usually at the top of the bill. Enter the number, then enter the amount due. The website will show you the payment methods available: credit card, debit card, or electronic bank transfer. Choose your method, enter the payment details, and confirm the transaction.

If you're paying through a toll tag account, you'll log in with your account credentials instead. Once logged in, you can see your account balance and any outstanding tolls. You can pay the full balance or a partial amount, and you can set up automatic payments so future tolls are paid without you having to return to the website each time.

Setting up automatic payments for your toll tag

If you have a toll tag account, the Illinois Tollway lets you set up automatic payments so your account is charged whenever your balance reaches a certain amount. This is useful if you drive the tollways frequently and want to avoid receiving bills in the mail.

Log into your toll tag account on the Illinois Tollway website. Navigate to the account settings or payment preferences section. Select the option to set up automatic replenishment. You'll choose a payment method (credit card, debit card, or bank account), decide how much your account balance should drop before it's automatically replenished, and how much to replenish it by. Once you confirm these settings, the system will charge you automatically going forward.

What to do if you don't have your invoice number

If you received a bill in the mail but can't find the invoice number, you can still look up your account on the Illinois Tollway website. Use the "Find Your Account" or "Account Lookup" tool, which typically asks for your license plate number and the state where it's registered. The system will pull up any outstanding tolls associated with that plate.

From there, you can proceed to pay online using the same methods described above. If the lookup tool doesn't find your account, contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line at 1-800-UC-TOLLS (1-800-828-6557). They can help you locate your account and process a payment over the phone if you prefer.

Payment methods and processing time

The Illinois Tollway accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover for credit and debit card payments. You can also pay by electronic bank transfer if you provide your checking or savings account information. Do not use a debit card that requires a PIN — the online system works with signature-based debit cards only.

Once you submit your payment online, it typically processes within one business day. However, the tollway recommends paying before the due date shown on your bill to avoid late fees or additional collection actions. If you're paying close to the due date, consider calling customer service to confirm the payment was received in time.

Toll tag accounts versus mailed bills

If you drive Chicago tollways regularly, a toll tag is more convenient than receiving bills in the mail. A toll tag is an electronic transponder that communicates with toll readers as you pass through, and your account is charged automatically. You can monitor your balance and top up your account online anytime.

If you don't have a toll tag, the Illinois Tollway photographs your license plate at toll booths and mails you a bill. This bill includes the toll amount plus a processing fee. You can pay this bill online using the invoice number, or you can request a toll tag to avoid future bills and processing fees. Toll tags are available through the Illinois Tollway website or by calling customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a fee to pay tolls online?

No, there is no additional fee to pay your toll bill online through the Illinois Tollway website. However, if you received a mailed bill (because you don't have a toll tag), that bill already includes a processing fee added to the toll amount. Paying online does not remove that fee — it was charged when the bill was generated.

Can I pay tolls for someone else's vehicle?

Yes, you can pay a toll bill for another person's vehicle if you have their invoice number or account number. You'll enter that information on the Illinois Tollway website and proceed with payment using your own payment method. The bill will be marked as paid, but the account will remain registered to the original vehicle owner.

What happens if I pay late?

If you pay after the due date on your bill, late fees may be added to your account. The Illinois Tollway may also suspend your vehicle registration or refer your account to a collection agency. If you're unable to pay by the due date, contact customer service at 1-800-828-6557 to discuss your options.

Can I dispute a toll charge online?

You cannot dispute a charge directly through the online payment system. To challenge a toll, contact the Illinois Tollway customer service line at 1-800-828-6557 or visit their website to find the dispute process. You'll need to provide details about the toll in question and any supporting information, such as proof you weren't driving that vehicle.