Illinois Tollway Streamlines Process to Contest Violations

Agency's new process helps people contest violations, which they are not responsible.

The Illinois Tollway is offering motorist a better way to contest toll violations for which they are not responsible, usually in situations where vehicles have been sold or stolen prior to the violation date.

The changes will help about 2,000 motorists per month, the agency said in a release.

Drivers who receive a toll violation notice can now go online, download a user-friendly form, attach the required documentation and return it to the Tollway for review and consideration.

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Prior to this new process, customers would need to call the Tollway or visit a Customer Service Center to explain why they were not legally responsible for the violations.

“For the first time, the Tollway is clearly defining for our customers the circumstances in which contesting a toll violation is acceptable,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said in the release. “This new improved process gives our customers the ability to make their case and contest the toll violation as quickly and effortlessly as possible.”

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Drivers receive a toll violation notice after three toll violations have occurred in a two-year period. Upon receipt of the initial notice, drivers have 21 days to either pay the tolls and associated fines, request a hearing or contest the violation.

Customers who seek to contest a toll violation can now visit the Illinois Tollway’s website, download the affidavit of nonliability form and select from the following seven reasons:

• Sold: Vehicle had been sold and was in possession of a new owner at the time the violations occurred.
• Stolen: Vehicle had been stolen and was not in my possession at the time the violations occurred.
• Divorced: Ex-spouse was responsible for the vehicle at the time the violations occurred.
• Deceased: Registered owner is no longer living.
• Inactive Replacement Transponder: I received toll violations when using my replacement transponder.
• Incorrect Registered Owner: I am not the registered owner of this vehicle.
• Repossession: Vehicle was in the custody of a repossession company at the time the violations occurred.

Customers are asked to complete the affidavit of nonliability form and mail it with the required documentation to the Tollway for review. A written notice of the agency’s decision will be mailed to the customer. If the reason for contesting the toll violations is not listed on the form, they can call Tollway Customer Service at 800-UC-IPASS (800-824-7277) for assistance.

The Illinois Tollway is a user-funded system that receives no state or federal funding for maintenance and operations. Because of this, the Illinois Tollway is obligated to pursue unpaid tolls on behalf of the more than 95 percent of customers who pay their fair share daily while traveling on the Tollway.