Got a Toll Violation? Get the Hearing Facts

You have 21 days from the issue date of the violation notice to contest the violations by requesting an Administrative Hearing. An Administrative Hearing can be conducted in person or by mail. Administrative Hearings are less formal than a state court trial but still follow a basic structure to ensure fairness and due process of law.

• negotiate or offer a settlement
• waive or lower the mandatory fine/toll amount
• extend the payment deadline or grant a payment plan

Request by Phone:
If requesting an Administrative Hearing over the phone a customer service representative will provide a date and time for the scheduled hearing. You also will receive this information in the mail.

Request by Mail:
If requesting an Administrative Hearing via the coupon found at the bottom of the violation notice, a letter will be sent to you confirming the date and time of your hearing.

1. The hearing officer outlines the hearing process.
2. The Illinois Tollway initiated the case against you, so it has the burden of proof and will present its evidence before you are asked to present a defense. To present its case, the Tollway may:
   1. introduce the Notice of Violation,
   2. call witnesses,
   3. offer other evidence such as photographs or other documents.
3. The hearing officer reviews the Illinois Tollway's case to see if it has alleged all the necessary elements required by law.
4. If the Tollway has not properly alleged the elements of an offense, the case will be dismissed.
5. If the Tollway has properly alleged the elements of an offense, the hearing will proceed and you will have the opportunity to present your case.
6. To present your case, you may, like the Tollway:
   1. introduce written testimony;
   2. testify yourself;
   3. call witnesses;
   4. offer other evidence such as photographs or other documents.
7. After both sides have had an opportunity to present their case, the hearing officer will render a decision and written order.

1. The hearing officer first reviews evidence presented by the Tollway which may include the Notice of Violation(s) or other evidence such as photographs or documents. Because the Tollway initiated the case against you, it holds the burden of proof, so the information it provides will be reviewed first.
2. The hearing officer next reviews the package of evidence presented by you. You have a right to tell your side of the story to the hearing officer. You may do so through your own testimony on the document enclosed with your Notice of Hearing by Mail. You also may attach the written testimony of witnesses and/or attach other evidence such as photos or vehicle title transfer.

Your documents must be received by the Tollway not less than 5 days prior to the hearing date. Please allow for adequate time for mail delivery.

Be sure to sign the bottom of your written testimony and keep a copy of all documents sent.

3. The hearing officer then renders a decision and issues a Hearing Officer’s Final Order of Liability. By state law the hearing officer must believe that after reviewing all evidence it is more likely than not that a violation has occurred.
4. A Copy of the Final Order will be mailed to you.

Either side may appeal the hearing officer’s decision to the 18th Judicial (DuPage County) Circuit Court of Illinois under the Administrative Review Law within thirty-five days of the issuance date of the Final Order of Liability.

• Call 1-800-824-7277 OR
• Check the box next to, “PLEASE SCHEDULE A HEARING” on the coupon at the bottom of your violation notice. You must indicate what type of hearing you are requesting by writing “BY MAIL” or “IN PERSON” on the coupon. Send the coupon back to Illinois Tollway, PO Box 5201, Lisle, IL 60532-5201.

The Tollway must receive any hearing request prior to the violation notice DUE DATE.

Call Center hours are:
Monday – Friday 6a.m. to 10 p.m. and Weekends 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Non-Peak hours are weekdays after 6 p.m. and weekends.
Calling during Non-Peak hours is recommended.
The Administrative rules covering the hearing process can be found here