Winnetka, Wilmette and Glencoe commuters who use I-94 to get to work will pay 45 cents more at every toll plaza starting Jan. 1, 2027, after the Illinois Tollway Board voted unanimously to approve the largest toll increase in the agency's history.

The 8-0 vote on Thursday, Aug. 20, greenlit a 15-year, $26.5 billion capital program called "Driving Connections." For I-PASS users, the per-mile rate rises from about 7 cents to 11 cents. Drivers without I-PASS will see a 90-cent jump per toll. Commercial trucks face a 30% hike.

The North Tri-State Tollway corridor that runs through the North Shore's backyard, I-94/I-294 between Balmoral Avenue and the Edens Spur, is slated for $3.07 billion in roadway rehabilitation and bridge reconstruction under the plan, according to Patch.

It's the first passenger toll increase since 2012.

The Tollway receives no state or federal tax dollars. Chief Financial Officer Cathy Williams told the board that net toll revenues will cover roughly $20.6 billion of the program, with bond proceeds funding the rest, WTTW reported.

The Illinois Policy Institute's chief concern isn't the initial hike but what comes after it. Beginning in 2029, toll rates will automatically adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index, capped at 8% per cycle.

"What's different about this is they are going to tie it to the rate of inflation every two years," said Dylan Sharkey, public engagement manager for the Illinois Policy Institute. "People's incomes don't always keep up with inflation. ... What they're doing with these tolls is putting them on autopilot. They won't have to vote again for 30 to 40 years. Tolls never die."

Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said nearly 1.7 million drivers rely on the system daily and called the spending necessary to address aging infrastructure and growing congestion across the network.

Public comments split sharply depending on how they were submitted. At in-person hearings held across the Tollway's 12-county service area, where more than 1,110 people attended, 79% of speakers supported the plan and 15% opposed it, CBS News Chicago reported. Among online commenters, those numbers flipped: 76% opposed the increase and 17% supported it. The board collected more than 13,000 total comments.

Even at the new rate, the Tollway says Illinois I-PASS tolls remain below the national average of 16 cents per mile.

Drivers can estimate their specific cost increase using the Tollway's online calculator at agency.illinoistollway.com/toll-calculator.