History of Illinois Tollway in Timeline

The Illinois Tollway, officially the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), is an Illinois state agency responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining toll roads. Established in 1958 in the Chicago area, it has expanded to include sections of I-88. A major reconstruction effort, beginning in 2005, introduced open road tolling via I-Pass transponders. As of 2017, the Illinois Tollway manages 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: Establishment of Illinois State Toll Highway Commission

Critics argue that the 1953 law that established the then Illinois State Toll Highway Commission is the foundation of the issues with the Tollway.

1953: Illinois State Toll Highway Commission Established

In 1953, the Illinois State Toll Highway Commission was established, following delays caused by World War II.

August 20, 1958: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway Opens

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

1958: System Opened

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

1958: Initial Toll Rates

In 1958, the initial toll rates were set at 25 cents at the main plazas and 10 cents at the exit ramps.

1967: The Toll Highway Act

In 1967, The Toll Highway Act was dated from but has been amended since.

April 1, 1968: ISTHA Assumed Assets and Obligations

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

1983: Toll Increase

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

1983: Previous Toll Rate Adjustment

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

June 1984: North-South Tollway Legislation

In June 1984, legislation authorizing the construction of the North-South Tollway (DuPage Tollway) was pushed through.

1989: I-355 Opens

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 Launch

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

1999: Governor Ryan Discusses Closure of ISTHA

By 1999, Governor George Ryan began to publicly discuss the closure of ISTHA and the abolition of toll collection in Illinois.

2003: ISTHA board chairman appointment

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

2003: Public-Private Partnership for Oasis Renovation

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

2004: Congestion Relief Program Adopted

In 2004, ISTHA adopted a $6.3 billion Congestion Relief Program to expand the tollway system with open road tolling and rebuild/widen toll roads.

2004: Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway Renamed

In 2004, ISTHA voted to rename the East-West Tollway (I-88) the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway.

2005: System Reconstruction

Beginning in 2005, the Illinois Tollway system underwent reconstruction to include more lanes and open road tolling, utilizing I-Pass transponders for revenue collection.

2005: Conflict of Interest Laws

In 2005, ISTHA's employees became subject to conflict of interest laws.

2005: I-Pass System Implementation

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

November 24, 2007: I-355 Extension Opens

On November 24, 2007, a 12.5-mile extension of I-355 opened, linking I-55 to I-80.

December 9, 2008: Governor Blagojevich Arrested

On December 9, 2008, Governor Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges, including allegations of soliciting 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 Resigns

On August 12, 2009, John Mitola, the ISTHA board chairman, resigned for personal reasons.

2009: Website Overhaul

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

2010: I-Pass Usage

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

2010: Website Overhaul

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

2011: Move Illinois Program Approved

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

January 1, 2012: Toll Increase

On January 1, 2012, 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 Passed for High-Speed Rail

In 2013, legislation was passed giving the Illinois Tollway Authority the power to build high-speed rail lines if funding is available.

2017: ISTHA Operations

As of 2017, ISTHA maintains and operates 306 miles (492 km) of tollways in 12 counties in northern Illinois, comprising five routes.

2017: System Size

As of 2017, the Illinois Tollway Authority (ISTHA) maintains and operates 294 miles of tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois.

May 31, 2019: Moody's Downgrades Bond Rating

On May 31, 2019, Moody’s Investor Service downgraded ISTHA's bond rating from Aa3 to A1, with a stable outlook.

July 11, 2019: ISTHA Bond Debt

As of July 11, 2019, ISTHA had $6,248,860,000 in bond debt, maturing as late as 2044.

March 2020: Cash Toll Collection Moratorium

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

June 2020: Online Pay Option Instituted

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 pandemic.

February 25, 2021: Cash Tolling Eliminated

On February 25, 2021, ISTHA announced that cash tolling would be fully eliminated throughout the system, making permanent the moratorium on cash toll collection.