Holiday travel surge prompts Illinois Tollway, state leaders to push I-PASS stickers

(WIFR) – As the busy week for holiday travel goes full steam ahead, the Illinois Tollway reminds drivers to pay their tolls and make the switch from a transponder to a sticker.

The Tollway offers I-PASS and Pay by Plate options for local and out-of-state drivers to cover tolls. Pay by Plate means travelers will get a bill for any toll they drive through as long as it is paid within 14 days. I-PASS allows drivers to pre-pay for tolls.

Recently, the tollway switched from battery operated transponders to stickers. State Senator Dave Syverson (R -Rockford) says it’s a good idea to switch.

“If you do make the change, you will get your $10 back, and you’ll have a sticker that will last forever,” Syverson said. “You can do that by either going online and making that change and waiting for them to mail it to you, or you can stop by the Belvidere Oasis.”

Drivers can use the Illinois Tollway app or go to illinoistollway.com to set up and manage their accounts. They can also add license plates of family or friends traveling for the holiday.

Over the past several months, leaders from around the stateline and various organizations held events to help drivers make the switch. Loves Park Mayor Greg Jury, who co-sponsored a session at City Hall, said these events build better relationships between leaders, the city and the people they serve

“There were probably close to 300 people that attended,” Jury said. “That was the biggest event he had, as people turned on their transponders and got stickers for their cars.”

Because of the success of the event Syverson says he would love to have more like it to help the community.

Along with Illinois, 18 other states participate in the E-ZPass system. Once you have the sticker, tollway leaders say you should wait 24 hours before crossing state lines, using the Chicago Skyway or other E-ZPass systems.

And for added protection over the holidays, tollway police remind people to put down their phones while driving and leave room for emergency vehicles to pass.

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