SPRINGFIELD, IL — Governor J.B. Pritzker has once again gotten his way at the expense of Illinois taxpayers. This afternoon, the Illinois Tollway board, hand-picked by Pritzker, unanimously approved the increases. The 57% increase will cost a commuter who passes through two tolls a day, 5 days a week, approximately $225 starting in 2027.
AFP-IL Deputy State Director Brian Costin issued the following statement:
“This toll hike is pure Springfield cronyism. Drivers are being asked to pay roughly 57% more, and commercial vehicles 30% more, not because Tollway users will get better roads or less traffic, but because Speaker Chris Welch said the toll hike was “the price that needed to be paid” to secure labor support for the transit bailout and raiding of the road fund.
“Gov. Pritzker sits on the Tollway Board and appoints its other directors. This should have been an easy decision: reject the hike and follow Section 19 of the Illinois Toll Highway Act, which requires tolls to be set at rates calculated to provide the ‘lowest reasonable toll rates’ sufficient to meet the Tollway’s legitimate costs. The Tollway is not a political slush fund for Gov. Pritzker and Springfield Democrats to reward their political allies.
“Illinoisans already face the highest overall tax burden in the country. Gov. Pritzker should be looking for ways to lower that burden, not piling on another massive increase.”