TOLL HWY ACT-CASH OPTION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Steve McClure

Requires the Illinois Tollway to offer cash payment at every toll plaza within one year, restoring cash access for drivers and increasing cash-handling needs and security.

Overview / Purpose

SB 1257 would amend the Illinois Toll Highway Act to require the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (Tollway) to offer a cash-payment option at every toll plaza and toll collection location. The stated intent is to ensure drivers who use tangible U.S. currency can continue to pay tolls in cash rather than being forced into electronic-only payment systems.

Key provisions

Adds Section 19.2 to the Toll Highway Act (605 ILCS 10/19.2).

Requires the Tollway, within one year after the Act’s effective date, to establish an option to pay with “tangible legal United States currency” at every toll plaza and toll location point.

Defines “tangible legal United States currency” to mean coins minted or Federal Reserve notes printed by or under the authority of the U.S. Department of the Treasury that are legal tender in the United States.

Who would be affected

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority: responsible for implementing cash-handling systems at all toll locations.

Drivers and vehicle operators using Illinois toll roads — especially unbanked or underbanked individuals and those who prefer cash.

Toll plaza employees/operators, contractors, and vendors (equipment, cash-handling services, armored transport).

Potentially local law enforcement and security services for cash handling and safety measures.

Implementation & timeline

The Tollway must implement the cash option “by no later than one year after the effective date” of the Act.

The bill amends the Toll Highway Act; it does not specify additional statutory penalties, funding, hours of operation for cash lanes, or operational standards such as change-making, staffing levels, or security protocols.

Potential impacts and considerations

Accessibility/Equity: Restores access for cash-paying motorists and those who cannot use electronic tolling.

Operational costs: Likely increases for staffing, cash-handling infrastructure (ticket booths or staffed lanes), security, armored transport, and accounting controls.

Traffic flow: Potential impacts on throughput if cash lanes are slower than electronic lanes; design and staffing decisions will affect congestion.

Security and fraud risk: Increased cash on-site can raise security needs and risk management costs.

Interoperability: The bill does not change electronic tolling rules (e.g., I-PASS); it only mandates availability of cash as an option.

Status & sponsor

The bill text adds Section 19.2 to 605 ILCS 10.

Sponsor listed in the bill text: Sen. Steve McClure (introduced as LRB104 05742 LNS 15772 b).

Per the provided Bill Information, status is “Referred to Assignments” and introduced on February 13, 2025; implementation must occur within one year of the Act’s effective date if enacted.

Note: The bill text is narrowly focused on the payment option requirement and leaves many operational details to the Tollway to resolve during implementation.

Bill