Driving Connections
Proposed Driving Connections Capital Program
The Illinois Tollway is proud to propose Driving Connections, its next long‑term capital program and a 15‑year, $26.5 billion commitment to improve traffic, road conditions, and spur economic development. Driving Connections spans every corridor within the Tollway system, delivering a more affordable, reliable transportation network that connects communities and supports a dynamic region for generations.
Built on the progress of the Tollway’s Move Illinois and Bridging the Future capital programs and shaped through extensive stakeholder outreach and collaboration, this proposed plan reflects regional priorities to maximize benefits for drivers. The proposed program will begin in 2027 and extend through 2042, ensuring long-term, strategic investments in the system.
Click here to learn more about how the Tollway developed this proposed capital program.
Public Hearings and Comments
To fund the proposed Driving Connections capital program investments, the Tollway is proposing a toll rate increase of approximately 45 cents per toll for passenger vehicles and 30 percent for commercial vehicles. In addition, the Tollway will adjust rates in accordance with the Consumer Price Index every other year to provide cost predictability for customers. Click here to learn more about the proposed toll increase.
SUBMIT A COMMENT
The Tollway is seeking feedback from its customers regarding this proposed toll rate adjustment. All comments received will be given equal consideration.
Comments must be received by noon on August 3, 2026, to be included in the public record. Choose a way that works best for you:
- Click here to submit online comments
- Complete a comment card at any Tollway Customer Service Center
- Attend a public hearing to speak or share written comments
- Send comments via U.S. Mail to Communications Department, 2700 Ogden Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Tollway will host a series of public hearings in the 12 counties served by the Tollway to allow customers and community members the opportunity to provide feedback in‑person. Click here for the schedule of dates, times and locations.
Download the Public Hearings Schedule
| Date | Time | County | Venue | Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon., 7/13 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Lake | Greenbelt Cultural Center - Banquet Hall |
1215 Green Bay Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064 |
| Tues., 7/14 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cook (North) |
Roosevelt University Schaumburg - Zurich Alumni Hall |
1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd., Schaumburg, IL 60173 |
| Tues., 7/14 | 6-8 p.m. | McHenry | Huntley Park District Rec Center - Theatre |
12015 Mill St., Huntley, IL 60142 |
| Weds., 7/15 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | DuPage | College of DuPage - Student Resource Center |
425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 |
| Weds., 7/15 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cook (South) |
Markham Park District - Roesner Multipurpose Room |
16053 Richmond Ave, Markham, IL 60428 |
| Thurs., 7/16 | 6-8 p.m. | Lee | Loveland Community House & Museum - Dining Room |
513 West Second St., Dixon, IL 61021 |
| Mon., 7/20 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | DeKalb | Northern Illinois University - Barsema Alumni Hall Ballroom |
231 N Annie Glidden Rd., DeKalb, IL 60115 |
| Mon., 7/20 | 6-8 p.m. | Winnebago | Rock Valley Community College - Stenstrom Student Center |
3301 N Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61114 |
| Tues., 7/21 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Whiteside | Rock Falls Community Building | 601 W 10th St, Rock Falls, IL 61071 |
| Tues., 7/21 | 6-8 p.m. | Will | Lewis University St. Charles Borromeo North Campus - Flight Deck Building |
101 Airport Road, Romeoville, IL 60445 |
| Weds., 7/22 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Kane | Prisco Community Center | 150 W Illinois Ave., Aurora, IL 60506 |
| Thurs., 7/23 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m | Ogle | Luna Rochelle | 531 South 7th St., Rochelle, IL 61068 |
| Fri., 7/24 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m | Boone | Boone County Museum of History - Grand Gallery |
314 S State St, Belvidere, IL 61008 |
Proposed Toll Rate Increase
After more than a decade without a rate increase, the Tollway has delivered quality infrastructure that helps move Illinois forward. To help fund the next 15 years of investments, the Tollway is seeking a rate increase to fund the proposed Driving Connections capital program.
- Passenger toll rates will increase approximately 45 cents per toll, starting January 1, 2027.
- Commercial toll rates will increase 30%, starting January 1, 2027.
- Beginning in 2029, rates would be adjusted every two years based on inflation.
View toll rate details for passenger and commercial vehicles
Tollway Improvements Save Drivers Time and Money in the Long Run
- Helps alleviate traffic - allowing people to spend less time on the road and more time with their families
- Stop-and-go traffic leads to higher fuel consumption and increased brake and engine wear, increasing costs over time
- Left unrepaired, poor road conditions can cost drivers approximately $725 per year
Why Now?
- The Illinois Tollway is funded by tolls—not by state or federal taxes—and every dollar funds the Tollway’s system.
- Passenger toll rates have not increased since 2012, even as the Tollway continued major improvements across the region.
- Updating toll rates is necessary to fund the proposed Driving Connections capital program to continue to provide quality service, benefits and roadway maintenance for customers.
Proposed Program Goals
The proposed Driving Connections capital program focuses on fulfilling five key goals that align the program with community and stakeholder priorities for the Tollway system and the region.
Includes improving the I‑355/I‑88 Interchange and widening segments between I‑55 to Army Trail Road to address congestion on the system.
Includes adding a new access point on the western portion of I‑88, reconstructing the corridor from Illinois Route 56 to Illinois Route 251 and rehabilitating and widening key segments between the Aurora Toll Plaza and the Eisenhower Expressway.
Includes roadway improvements from Elgin to the Kennedy Expressway - including eight miles of new SmartRoad and an expanded interchange at Lee Street - plus reconstructing older roadway and bridge segments between Rockford and Elgin.
Includes roadway rehabilitation and bridge reconstruction between Balmoral Avenue and the Edens Spur, as well as early design work for improvements at the I‑294/I‑90 Interchange.
Includes roadway and bridge reconstruction from Balmoral Avenue to Wolf Road, a full interchange at Irving Park Road and design funding for a new bridge over the Bensenville Railroad Yard.
Includes roadway repairs and bridge reconstruction from 159th Street (U.S. Route 6) to 95th Street, roadway and bridge work— including targeted widenings—between Illinois Route 394 and 159th Street, plus five miles of new SmartRoad infrastructure.
Complete a joint project with the Chicago Department of Aviation to support further airport development that will be served by the new Illinois Route 390/I-490 Interchange, and rehabilitation of original segments of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway corridor.
Includes funding to address new challenges and opportunities that arise over the 15‑year program, including interagency partnership projects with IDOT, Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), local communities and others. Funding is also provided for innovation and sustainability projects, modernizing maintenance facilities and upgrading back‑office systems that support I‑PASS and open‑road tolling.