The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Board approved an 87.5% increase in tolls for the road last night, effective Jan. 1, 2012.
The tolls are needed, according to the board, to fund a 15-year, $12-billion tollway improvement project that includes a new Elgin to O’Hare bypass, an interchange between I-57 and I-294, and reconstruction and widening along I-90.
Under terms of the plan, an I-Pass user’s toll will increase from 40 cents to 75 cents. A cash user would go from paying 80 cents on most tolls to $1.50. According to Illinois Tollway Board Executive Director Kristi Lafleur, 75% of tollway users employ the I-Pass.