Illinois Tollways May Soon Charge You Based on the Time of Day

There have been a lot of changes to Illinois' tollway system in recent years, but I have a feeling that this new tollway proposal will not go over well with many Illinois residents.

Worst Part of Highway Travel in Illinois

My family isn't what you would call "road trippers", because neither my children nor I like riding in the car for more than a couple of hours at a time, but that's not the only issue we have with it.

There are two other reasons we tend to avoid long road trips:

1. Construction
2. Paying tolls

Unfortunately, paying tolls in Illinois is a necessary evil to fund much-needed road construction projects throughout the state, but that doesn't mean they aren't 100 percent annoying.

The truth is, Illinois hasn't had a passenger toll increase in about 12 years, but that may come to an end soon.

Rate Increases Proposed in New Illinois Tollway Plan

Illinois residents love to complain about road conditions in our state, so maybe the fact that the Illinois Tollway recently proposed a new 20-year plan that includes extending highways and repairing roads will be comforting?

Oh wait, the plan also includes toll hikes, specifically implementing 'dynamic' toll pricing.

According to an article from the Daily Herald:

 there is also a recommendation to “regularly update toll rates and explore dynamic pricing,” which can involve charging more at rush hour and less at off-peak times.

 

The Illinois Tollway board of directors has already approved this 20-year plan, but they say implementing dynamic pricing is still at least 10 years off.

I'm assuming that doesn't mean we won't see toll hikes in the next 10 years though, so stay tuned.