Tollway makes it easier to check violations

If you get a violation notice from the Illinois tollway that seems suspect, there’s a way to check online whether it’s your vehicle that missed the toll.

After a test period in March, the agency Monday announced a feature on the illinoistollway.com website that allows I-PASS users to cross-check images of license plates and dispute fines.

Violations are generated after three missed tolls in a two-year period. Cameras installed at toll plazas photograph license plates as vehicles pass and one of those images will be available online for people with violation notices to verify.

If there’s a mistake, drivers can chose from one of two options: “plate incorrect” and “missing image.” Disputed fines will be reviewed by Illinois State Toll Highway Authority staff and decisions sent by email. Previously, reviewing license plates took time as customers had to contact the tollway and ask to review the images, which were available by mail, email or in person.

Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said the agency wanted to make it easier for customers to access its records, noting I-PASS users have a right to see if the license plate images are accurate.

The tollway came under criticism in 2007 and 2008 for a lag in dispatching violation notices that resulted in thousands of people receiving hefty fines. Some of those fines turned out to be incorrect because of misreads of license plates.

During the March test period, nearly 900 people viewed license plate images resulting in 40 violation disputes using the new feature.