(CHICAGO) — The Tollway board has approved the largest toll hike in state history.
With a vote of 8-0, the Illinois Tollway Authority Board approved the rate hike that will kick in on January 1. Passenger vehicles will see a 45-cent per-toll increase. Commercial vehicles will face a 30-percent hike.
Officials say the hike is necessary to fund a capital investment program that will direct $26.5 billion over 15 years for various projects and repairs.
Opponents say the hike was pushed by Gov. JB Pritzker as a way to fulfill work for labor unions. The toll hike passed despite overwhelming opposition from online comments.
Last year the tollway raked in $1.75 billion in tolls.
