Congrats on the new job! Commuting from the suburbs to the Windy City is definitely a bit easier by using a toll road, and paying is pretty simple.
To pay for a toll road in Illinois, you have two options:
Get an I-Pass. The I-Pass is a sensor that mounts inside your windshield that allows you to enter toll roads on the fly. Tolls are 50% cheaper for I-Pass customers, so it’s a no-brainer if you plan on commuting regularly. The I-Pass costs $30 with a refundable $10 deposit, but you must maintain a $20 balance in your account at all times.
Use pay by plate. If you’re not going to use toll roads frequently, you can use the pay-by-plate method. When you go through a toll, a camera snaps a picture of your plate. You can then pay the toll within 14 days. Keep in mind that you’ll pay more than you would with the I-Pass.
Illinois got rid of cash toll booths in 2021, so that’s no longer an option. Just make sure to pay your toll if you use pay by plate in a timely fashion to avoid fees and penalties.
Even when you move within the state, you’ll need to update your Illinois car insurance
. You can find some easy savings while you’re at it by signing up for the Jerry app
! MORE: How to check for Illinois road closures