History of Illinois Tollway in Timeline

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), also known as the Illinois Tollway, is an administrative agency responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of toll roads in Illinois. Established in 1958 in the Chicago area, the system has expanded to include parts of Interstate 88. Since 2005, ISTHA has been reconstructing the system to include more lanes and open road tolling, utilizing I-Pass transponders for revenue collection. As of 2017, the Tollway maintains 294 miles of tollways across 12 counties in Northern Illinois.

1941: Original Toll Highway Authority Established

In 1941, the original Toll Highway Authority was established.

1953: Illinois State Toll Highway Commission Established

In 1953, the Illinois State Toll Highway Commission was established after construction delays due to World War II.

1953: Establishment of the Illinois State Toll Highway Commission

Much of the criticism in the 1980s and 1990s was centered on the continued existence of ISTHA itself. This stems from the 1953 law that established the then Illinois State Toll Highway Commission.

August 20, 1958: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway Opened

On August 20, 1958, the first segment of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway opened between Devon Avenue and Elgin at 3 p.m.

1958: System opened in the Chicago area

In 1958, the Illinois Tollway system opened in the Chicago area.

1958: Original toll rates set

In 1958, the Illinois Tollway tolls were set at 25 cents at the main plazas and 10 cents at the exit ramps.

1967: The Toll Highway Act dates from 1967

The Toll Highway Act dates from 1967, but has been amended since.

April 1, 1968: ISTHA assumed assets and obligations

Under the Toll Highway Act, promulgated on April 1, 1968, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) assumed the assets and obligations of the Illinois State Toll Highway Commission.

1983: Toll rates increased

In 1983, the Illinois Tollway tolls increased to 40 cents at the main plazas and 15 cents at most ramps.

1983: Previous adjustment to Illinois toll rates

The previous adjustment to Illinois toll rates had taken place in 1983.

June 1984: Legislation authorized construction of the North-South Tollway

In June 1984, legislation authorizing the construction of the North–South Tollway, then referred to as the DuPage Tollway, was pushed through.

1989: I-355 opened as a tollway

In 1989, I-355 opened as a tollway between Army Trail Road and I-55 near Bolingbrook, following a settlement of a lawsuit.

September 1, 1997: Illinois Tollway website officially launched

On September 1, 1997, the Illinois Tollway website officially launched, including online ordering and account management for I-Pass transponders.

1999: Governor George Ryan discussed the closure of ISTHA

By 1999, Governor George Ryan began to publicly discuss the closure of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) and the abolition of toll collection in Illinois, but the plans were eclipsed by Ryan's increasing scandals.

2003: John Mitola Appointed Chairman

In 2003, John Mitola was appointed the ISTHA board chairman by Governor Blagojevich

2003: ISTHA entered into partnership with Wilton Partners

In 2003, during Governor George Ryan's administration, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) entered into a public-private partnership with Wilton Partners to renovate the oasis rest stops in exchange for a 25-year lease.

2004: East-West Tollway Renamed

In 2004, ISTHA voted to rename the East–West Tollway to the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

2004: ISTHA Adopted Congestion Relief Program

In 2004, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) adopted a $6.3 billion Congestion Relief Program to expand the tollway system, including open road tolling and rebuilding toll roads.

2005: Employees subject to conflict of interest laws

As of 2005, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's (ISTHA) employees are subject to conflict of interest laws.

2005: System reconstructed with open road tolling

Beginning in 2005, the Illinois Tollway system was reconstructed to include more lanes and open road tolling, which uses I-Pass transponders.

2005: Tolls for cash payments doubled

With the advent of the I-Pass system in 2005, the tolls for cash payments on the Illinois Tollway were doubled, while rates for cars equipped with I-Pass transponders remained the same.

November 24, 2007: I-355 extension opened to link I-55 to I-80

On November 24, 2007, a 12.5 miles (20.1 km) extension of I-355 opened to link I-55 to I-80.

December 9, 2008: Governor Blagojevich Arrested

On December 9, 2008, Governor Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges, including allegations that he solicited campaign donations from Tollway construction contractors.

January 2009: Governor Blagojevich Impeached

In January 2009, Governor Blagojevich was impeached, tried, and removed from office for abuse of power.

August 12, 2009: John Mitola Resigned

On August 12, 2009, John Mitola, who was appointed the ISTHA board chairman in 2003 by Governor Blagojevich, resigned for personal reasons.

2009: Website Underwent E-commerce Overhaul

In 2009-2010, the Illinois Tollway website underwent a $4.4 million e-commerce overhaul.

2010: Number of I-Pass transponders in use

As of 2010, Illinois Tollway drivers use 3.3 million I-Pass transponders.

2010: Website Underwent E-commerce Overhaul

In 2009-2010, the Illinois Tollway website underwent a $4.4 million e-commerce overhaul.

2010: ISTHA's annual budget

In 2010, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's (ISTHA) annual budget was $696 million.

2011: Move Illinois Capital Program Approved

In 2011, ISTHA approved the Move Illinois, a $14 billion capital program to address remaining needs and construct new projects on the tollway system.

January 1, 2012: Tolls increased by 87 percent

On January 1, 2012, Illinois Tollway tolls increased by 87 percent, to 75 cents at the main plazas for transponder-equipped cars, and $1.50 for those paying cash.

2013: Legislation allows ISTHA to build high-speed rail lines

In 2013, legislation was passed giving the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) the power to build high-speed rail lines if funding is available.

2017: ISTHA maintained and operated 294 miles of tollways

As of 2017, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) maintained and operated 294 miles (473 km) of tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois.

May 31, 2019: Moody’s Investor Service downgraded ISTHA's bond rating

On May 31, 2019, Moody’s Investor Service downgraded the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's (ISTHA) bond rating from Aa3 to A1, with a stable outlook.

July 11, 2019: ISTHA's bond debt

As of July 11, 2019, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) had $6,248,860,000 in bond debt, maturing as late as 2044.

March 2020: Moratorium on cash toll collection

Since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a moratorium on cash toll collection was in place.

June 2020: Online pay option

In June 2020, ISTHA instituted an online pay option for video tolling and pay-by-plate customers without I-Pass or EZPass transponders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 25, 2021: Cash tolling would be fully eliminated

On February 25, 2021, ISTHA announced that cash tolling would be fully eliminated throughout the system, making permanent a moratorium on cash toll collection in place since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2024: Longmeadow Parkway bridge would be toll free

In January of 2024, it was announced the Longmeadow Parkway bridge, maintained by Kane County, Illinois, would be toll free.

2034: Bonds to be repaid in 2034

The long-term revenue bonds financing the Congestion Relief Program require the Illinois Tollway system to remain as toll roads until the bonds are repaid in 2034.