Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What happens when the light won't turn green? Will I get a violation?
The most common reason that the lights do not turn green is that the automatic coin machine is jammed due to bent/mutilated coins, debris, garbage, or other foreign materials thrown in by other customers. When jams occur in automatic (unmanned) lane equipment, a maintenance alarm is automatically triggered, and a service representative is dispatched to clean and realign the machine. The violation enforcement system is structured so that violation notices are not issued when toll machines are jammed or malfunctioning.

Customers should stop and pay the correct amount of money for the toll. Once you have done this, if the light does not turn green, you can proceed after waiting a reasonable amount of time. Under most conditions, it takes between 5-10 seconds for coins to be counted in an automatic lane. Paying additional money is not necessary.

How and why do violations occur?
Violations can occur when an Illinois Tollway user drives through a toll collection lane without paying the proper cash toll or without actually coming to a complete stop to pay as required by law. The violation enforcement system is only able to rule out people who pay their tolls properly by stopping.

If a customer doesn't stop when paying the toll, the toll collection equipment will not always match the vehicle and axle counts to the payment deposited. Under most conditions, it takes between 5-10 seconds for coins to be counted in an automatic lane.

It is imperative both for safety and to ensure that you are not recorded as a violator that you come to a complete stop when you pay a toll and wait for the green "Thank You" signal before proceeding. At ramp locations, multiple signs and a stop sign are posted notifying drivers that they must stop. Not stopping to properly pay the toll is a violation of the law.

How will a violation notice be received and what will it look like?
Toll violation notices will come in the mail and will include a photo of one of the violation events that the Illinois Tollway has on record, as well as details of the date, time and location of each violation event. Example Notice

I have an I-PASS and I received a notice. Why?
This notice may have been issued because your transponder was not able to register or your vehicle information was not up to date. All electronic toll collection systems throughout the nation (E-ZPass, SUN-PASS, TOLL-TAG, I-PASS, etc.) filter-out potential violations by cross-checking the event against customer license plates as opposed to checking by customer name. You are only responsible for the unpaid toll amount, which can be deducted from your I-PASS transponder balance provided you were an I-PASS customer at the time the violations occurred, your account is active and you have sufficient funds. No additional fees will be assessed provided this matter is resolved before the due date of a Final Order of Liability notice. Please call 1-800-824-7277 and a customer service representative will assist you. Please have the following information available when you call: 1) Complete name as it appears on your I-PASS account. 2) Transponder number (found on the bar code label located on the transponder) and/or I-PASS account number. 3) All current license plate numbers and plate types.

In the future, to avoid being recorded as a potential violator, you must keep your account updated. Updating your account information is as simple as managing your account online or calling 1-800-UCI-PASS (1-800-824-7277) where a customer service representative will be available to assist you.

Can I call to find out if I have toll violations?
No. At this time our Toll Violation Processing Center is not set up to take calls of this nature.

Is there a statute of limitations for toll violations?
No. Under the common law, the statute of limitations does not apply where the State asserts a civil action involving a public right.

Someone else was driving my car and did not pay – do I have to pay for the violations?
Under Illinois law, as the registered owner of the vehicle, you are liable for any toll violation, regardless of whether you were in the car at the time the toll violation was recorded.

The tollbooth wasn't working – do I have to pay for the violations?
The violation enforcement system is structured so that violation notices are not issued when toll machines are jammed or malfunctioning.

If I have filed for bankruptcy or have been declared bankrupt, do I still have to pay my toll evasion fines?
If you filed a Chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy like civil fines and penalties imposed for parking tickets and other government issued violation notices, toll evasion fines are not dischargeable under section 523 (1)(7) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Furthermore, the federal courts have held that the fine or penalty need not be imposed in judicial proceeding and may be imposed by way of an administrative proceeding, such as the Tollway's Violation Enforcement Hearings. If you filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy the courts “may” discharge your toll evasion fines.

I received a violation notice for a car that was sold, stolen or leased. Am I responsible?
If the plates or vehicle was sold/transferred or stolen at the time of the violation(s) included in the notice you may dispute the notice. Please call 1-800-824-7277 and a customer service representative will assist you.

How can I avoid getting a violation?
You can avoid violations by paying all tolls properly. The Illinois Tollway has always made it clear, by signs at the toll plazas and other mechanisms, that there are penalties for not paying tolls and that failure to pay tolls is against the law. As indicated by these signs – "Toll violators are subject to fine, arrest or suspension of driving privileges."

To avoid violations in the future, please get an I-PASS by calling 1-800-UCI-PASS or visit www.getipass.com.