Illinois may bring early warning of toll costs ahead of proposed rate hike

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – While Illinois contemplates raising prices on tollways across the state, one state lawmaker wants increased transparency for drivers.

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, announced he plans to introduce the “Truth in Toll Transparency Act,” which he said will give drivers on Illinois tollways a more advanced warning of the cost to enter a toll.

He told The Center Square he wanted to bring the measure forward because drivers often aren’t made aware of the actual cost of a toll until it’s too late to turn around.

“You will see a sign that says ‘toll ahead’ or ‘paid toll,’ but it does not define what the cost of that toll is going to be on the majority of tollways,” McLaughlin said. “If you’re going to continue to charge us for the tolls, the least you should expect would be to get an exact exact dollar amount before you enter a toll point, and that’s not happening today.”

McLaughlin said the proposed law may come at a small cost to update and place new signage near tollways, but he said that cost would come alongside the tollway already needing to update signs if it approves a rate hike.

McLaughlin noted he doesn’t feel proposed toll increases, which are set to be voted on by Illinois Tollway officials in the coming months, are necessary right now. The increase would be 45 cents per toll for IPASS users and a 30% rate hike for commercial IPASS users.

“To me this is just another opportunity to demand transparency from those in Illinois that have a spending addiction, but have a transparency problem and if you’re going to hit up me and my neighbors for these numbers, let us know in advance before we enter into the toll,” McLaughlin said.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month defended the proposed increase, noting that tolls have not increased since 2012 and the tollway board is looking to maintain a balanced budget.

The proposed toll hike is part of Illinois Tollway’s $26.5 billion capital program aimed at strengthening maintenance in improving traffic conditions over the next 15 years, according to announcements by the board.

The board has multiple public meetings allowing residents to share their thoughts on the hike, along with an online survey for residents who can’t attend. The survey closes August 3, before a likely final vote this fall.

According to recent reporting, Illinois has the fifth highest tollway burden in the nation, behind Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

McLaughlin said the bill should be filed in the coming days after a drafted version is finalized.