Facing 30% toll hike, truckers warn of fallout for the industry, consumers and roads

As Illinois tollway leaders promote a new $26.5 billion capital plan and related rate hike, one underlying justification is that passenger vehicle fees haven’t risen since 2012.

That’s small comfort to truckers who face a 30% spike in 2027 under the agency’s proposal despite paying annual cost-of-living toll increases for years, industry representatives said.

“Where in the world has any one of us seen a 30% increase in anything, whether it be expense or revenue?” trucking executive Mike Moran asked.

“I would be shut down tomorrow if I told my customers they were seeing a 30% increase,” said Moran, president of Elk Grove Village-based Moran Transportation Corp. “It’s a massive toll hike.”

As an example, I-PASS rates for a large truck at the Tri-State Waukegan plaza would grow from $15.90 now to $20.65, if the new plan, Driving Connections, is approved.

Meanwhile, I-PASS users with passenger vehicles would see average per-mile rates increase from 7 cents to 11 cents, or 57% more. That translates into paying $2.25 at the Waukegan toll in 2027 instead of $1.40 now.

“My expenses for tolls are going to go up almost half a million a year,” said Moran, who spends about $1.2 million in tolls annually. “That’s a lot of money and it’s going to roll right back to the consumers.”

Driving Connections would also mandate toll hikes tied to inflation every two years for all vehicles, effective 2029, with an 8% cap.

“The tollway has taken the financial demands on commercial trucking businesses and drivers into account when developing the proposed toll rate updates and Driving Connections program,” spokesperson Joelle McGinnis noted.

The initiative “provides for roadway and technology investments to reduce congestion and improve travel, as well as offer less frequent rate increases and new discounts for trucks.”

The agency cited a national report finding gridlock costs commercial trucks $7,588 annually.

“The tollway has a history of successfully delivering major infrastructure improvements for the region and the proposed projects are intended to alleviate congestion and improve travel times while lessening wear-and-tear on vehicles,” McGinnis said.

The Mid-West Truckers Association stated tolls have spiraled between a total compounded amount of roughly 85% and 100% over the last 20 years. That’s because of increases of 40% in 2015 and 10% in both 2016 and 2017, then annual inflation increases in 2018, the association said

Tollway officials stress commercial vehicles would get relief from annual cost-of-living increases under Driving Connections with the biennial system.

The agency added truckers will see improved roads with expanded capacity from work, including a $3.1 billion interchange rebuild at I-355 and I-88.

Other benefits will be upgraded access at busy sites such as I-90 and Lee Street and at the Tri-State and Irving Park Road nexus. Additional projects are expanding the SmartRoad system with digital traffic alerts and redeveloping mainline toll plazas to allow for truck parking.

The Mid-West Truckers Association isn’t convinced. At a Wednesday hearing in Glen Ellyn, Vice President Matt Wells testified “we’re here today as a result of a stream of broken promises,” referring to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, passed in 2025.

The law improperly diverts gas sales tax funds intended for fixing roads and bridges to public transit, and hits drivers with a punitive toll increase, the MTA contends.

“To go from South Beloit to Gary, Indiana, is going to cost $90.25 in tolls under this new rate program. What’s that going to look like for your local trucking companies? It’s going to force them off the tollway, maybe not forever, but initially they will be using secondary roads,” Wells said.

McGinnis pointed out the agency offers overnight discount rates for big rigs.

Cheaper night rates don’t affect local companies like his, said Moran, who is also Barrington village president. “It’s impossible for me to make pickups and deliveries to commercial, retail or any of those buildings when they’re closed at night.”