On July 19, 2014. I was driving to Michigan, following the route on my GPS, which took me through the Illinois Tollway and then to the Indiana Tollway. I specifically stopped at each tollbooth in the cash lane that was manned by tollbooth attendant. Approximately a week later, I received a notice in the mail from the Illinois Tollway stating I committed four separate violations in the time span of less than 30 min. . The total amount of violations was $86, $20 for each violation, and $1.50 for each unpaid toll. There was a photo my rear auto plate in this notice. I appealed these violations, according to the tollways appeal process. At that time, I explained in a letter the above to the tollbooth hearing officer, who was in charge of rendering a decision during my appeal.
On September, 2014 , I was informed in writing that I was found to be liable for all four violations.. The evidence was based solely on the photo of my rear auto plate. There were four separate photos on the tollways webs site, supposedly to represent four separate violations. In this last letter I was informe that failure to pay these violations by October 14, 2014 would result in a increase of the fines to $286. Also,, suspension to my vehicle registration, and the matter could be referred to an outside collection agency . My only other recourse would be to file an appeal with the 18th judicial circuit court of Illinois. I contacted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and was informed that my registration in Wisconsin could in fact be suspended.
I'm a retired Milwaukee police officer and it is inconceivable that I could or would commit for violations within 30 min. time span without my conscious knowledge. I am well aware that the tollbooths are manned with cameras. I would not risk a $1.50 toll free for a $20 violation; " I have to be deaf, dumb and blind." I'm being extorted to pay these violations. My recourse is to share this experience with others, who may use Illinois Tollway. To avoid being suggested this unethical practice, ensure that you obtain a cash receipt; "documentation would be your only protection".
Flawed System where consumers are forced to pay! I drove the through the IPASS tollway without an IPASS for the 1st week of August 2012, my mother was 1.5hr away from home having surgery for stage 3 colon cancer. I am aware that I needed to pay for the miss tolls, however I did not do this online as I could not remember the Plaza # gates and I had suprassed the 7 day window to do so.
So I decided to physically stop at the Lake Forest Oasis Plaza which has an Illinois State Toll Highway office for IPASS system on 9/18/12 to activate the IPASS I had bought back in January of 2012 and to pay for the 4 tolls I missed the 1st week of August 2012. The attendant was very helpful, we activated the IPASS and I gave her my vehicle information and told her about the miss tolls she took my credit card and charged the $40 for IPASS account balance. I was told that my account and vehicle were in good standing.
FAST Foward one year later, I'm checking my credit report and I have a $287.00 Collection on my credit report for Illinois State Toll Highway Authority for missed tolls in August of 2012. I called ISTHA spoke with a represenatative regarding the situation who not only confirmed that she could see in the system that I was at the Lake Forest Oasis and that I had paid $40 on 9/18/13 and that I had set my account up but she also confirmed that my mailing address on file was missing a digit and they had me listed as Ivanhoe instead of Mundelein, IL. None the less refused to alter this $287.00 collection fee on my credit report or would give me a manager to speak with.
I asked the ISTHA rep how do I have an IPASS and credit card on file to be charged for tolls, yet I being sent into collection and accumulated fees of $200.00 when you have an active credit card on file? The representative was EXTREMELY SASSY, stating thats how our system works...I said I never received a notice in mail for the 4 missed tolls and you confirmed that you had the worng address. I also stated to her I physically visisted the Lake Forest Oasis and spent 1/2hr with an Illinois State Toll Highway representative on 9/18/12 where I actived my IPASS and was told my account was in good standing that the missed tolls were not issue as I have a $40 balance on my account linked with the my vehicle and license plate number. Again, was told our system doesn't update that quickly it takes a few days for someone to see you missed tolls. I went through 4 toll booths from August 3 to August 8th of 2012, I went to the ISTHA Oasis on September 18, 2012 that is almost 6 weeks after the occurance. Again all the ISTHA rep could tell me was our system doesn't update quickly, so basically if you want to pay for missed tolls within a month you don'll allow drivers to do so. So I asked how does your system have the capability to received ONLINE payments within 7days of a missed toll? Your system is updated enough to capture that information, buts its not updated to allow a driver to pay for a tolls missed within 30 days at a physical ISTHA-IPASS location? What about the empolyee on 9/18/12 at the Lake Forest Oasis who confirmed my account was in good standing and that I was update? So because your flawed system of delays, poor employee service and overall ineffecicency I the consumer/driver have to pay for it.
Now mind you if I had received a notice in the mail, I would paid and tried to contest it. However, they had the wrong address and the ISTHA rep today 11/18/13 confirmed they had the wrong address on file but said no mail was forwarded or returned that we can see in our system so you have to pay the full balance of $287.00.
I paid the $287.00 because I do not want a negative remark on my credit report. However, it makes you wonder their system is that delayed and flawed with no ownership of their computer system defficencies and uneffective employees its all about collecting $$$ because this state of Illinois is so broke it doesn't matter.
1> Wrong Address on File with Confirmation wrong town & missing digit in address CAUSING no notices to be received via mail.
2> 9/18/12 Went to ISTHA - OASiS Lake Forest to pay for missed tolls and active IPASS was told account was in good standing.
3> Have active credit card on account since 9/18/12 that the fees could have been charged to. Instead rather add $200 in late penalty fees for 100 days late even though I made every attempt to pay within 30 days.
My son & I drove to Chicago to attend my 30th reunion. My sister lives near Brookfield and warned me in advance about all the tolls to go through and how much money to have. So FULLY prepared - I grew up north of the city - lived there 23 years and always new high penalities if didn't pay tolls. I opened my mailbox today & dumbfounded to see "Illinois Tollway" envelope???? I went back into my apartment to get my reading glasses & kept thinking, "WHY did they send me mail??". I knew we paid EVERY toll exactly what it stated - I'm a single mom, supporting numerous people right now.
I was soooo excited to go on this trip last month & had to really plan for it - no vacation since 1992, but now wished never went!! I hadn't been back to Chicago area in 16 yrs - I'm a total diehard fan of the Cubs, Blackhawks, John Hughes films - brag to co-workers & customers all the time... We arrived early evening fri evening & left early Sun morning, as had to get back to work. EXPLAIN to us - HOW did we get through if didn't pay??? ALL lights turned green & gates went up each time!!!...2 times at booths - should have got a receipt - should have filmed for proof!!!!!!!
I am sooo confused, soooo angry, in total disbelief on a $107.90 bill = 1.50 each toll x 5 x 20 = repay ALL tolls already paid + ungodly fines...Now can't pay me required health insurance bill as says to pay by 17th or extra $50 PER offense - I believe photo of license plates that are from OUT OF STATE are sent a notice easy to raise money for the city...as broke & feel won't come back to fight it in court - can't miss work, afford to drive there nor a lawyer & for them to say, "what proof?" & have to pay anyways.. What do they even do with the toll $ collected??...from what I remember, "Welcome to Illinois" - wham!! - hit a pothole, so NOT utilizing the funds properly...
My uncle was a devoted proud Chicago sergeant 20yrs at the 20th precinct & sister a 20+yr paramedic for the city. I immediately texted her & she thought VERY strange since gates went up & lights green = ONLY does if pay...yes, took time to throw coins in basket ones to make sure - it calculated to work. Of course number to call closed when opened mail & closed tomorrow, Sunday. I have MANY friends in Chicago area & talking with an attorney Monday morning for free. My son, 25, is totally angry!!! - doesn't want me to pay, as knows we did what we were asked...
This is NOT right, NOT fair...I never want to go back there again. It was wonderful seeing people I haven't seen in many years, including my sister & nephew, but I refused to be wronged by this %$#@!! tactic of raising $ on innocent people traveling through state - HELLO Illinois - your asking money from people who just spent $ in your area!!!...I attended art school in city, promote Navy Pier, museums & restaurants for people to go visit...NOW, I will be warning them to BEWARE, not such a great place to visit afterall - save your $ & time & visit a different state then Illinois...Now, I feel completely CRAPPY about my home state - I was to relocate back, to be by family, have son & grandson in hockey & start my custom design business there,
now taking it elsewhere - YES, this event has made me completely turned around on views of this city...I don't like corrupt people or places!!! I am usually a VERY calm person, VERY rarely complain - usually go out of way to compliment, BUT this is OUTLANDISH!!!! I see many other complaints, so I'm not the only one & many for outrageous totals - don't know if they paid their tolls or not, but we sure as heck did...So NO more singing, "Sweet Home Chicago"...all is I can say, it BETTER be corrected Monday & this is for warning others before hit the toll booths in that area...I will NEVER go in that area EVER again..Good riddance!
Where on earth is it allowed and legal to effectively charge interest rates of 1000% on a missed bill after 7 days! It gets better, If the customer does not pay within 30 days after the first 7, the fine grows by another 10 times the already engrossed fine. and and it goes on and on. A little over two years ago I had a teenage child battling a life threatening illness. The child was angry and depressed. My other young adult was angry and depressed. And I was battling it too. We were all trying to stay afloat and in some ways we all came out better than expected. In others, our life was chaos and we are still picking up the pieces. In the middle of this crisis my sister was battling a harrowing fight for her life, a blood disease that required a bone marrow transplant. There was a lot of chaos. My kids were driving cars registered to me, and I thank the Lord in their suffering and anger that the worst thing they did with those cars was rack up toll bills. I was beside myself, supporting them both With no financial help from their father --- with one starting college, another costing hundreds a month in medical bills and a job I desperately needed to be successful at to get us through it all that takes 50-60 hours a week. When toll bills started arriving, I at first looked at them, never thinking they would get so out of hand so fast----when things got completely out of control and I had have a child in a hospital setting long term there were certain things I just couldn't deal with. As things began to improve and I began to dig myself out of the large pile of bills accumulated I asked for a payment plan from the toll authority. They said no, that the plan is always to pay In full. I had to set it down a little longer before coming back to this because I couldn't afford the $5000 plus they told me I owed. In January of this year I decided to spend my bonus on getting out from under this. I went by the offices in hopes of talking to a human and working the 5,000 down And getting a payment plan. She told me there were no negotiations, and no payment plans but I could fill out paper work and to appeal. The paper work I was given was several pages asking for every detail of my finances. The writing was on the wall as I know a young single man who makes half of what I do who did get some relief but only by threatening to file bankruptcy and not pay them at all. I called a couple weeks later to try to pay that bill only to be told it was in collections. I called collections and was told I had a $15000 balance. I had asked at the tollway authority if the amount she had shown me was everything and she had said yes. So here I am freaking out at a now tripled prospect. With much negotiation I was able to get that bill down to $8000. I paid it dividing it between credit cards and depleting my Emergency fund. I thought I was free and clear. I was told some notices may still come in the next couple of weeks until the toll authority understood all was paid via collections. I asked for something in writing and was told my credit card bills would serve as receipt. I asked for specifics for what tolls on what days I was paying. This couldn't be provided. A month or so later when notices kept coming I found out that wasn't all (supposedly) . I had more that hadn't as yet been sent to collections to the tune of another $1500. I asked if I could have a payment plan and was told no. I made a $300 payment hoping it would buy me some grace. It did not. Shortly after I started receiving some collection notices from a different collector. the notices indicated I owed another 600 or so. I called to find out there were two accounts each around $2000! I asked the dates of the offenses. They can't produce a list of course but could give me a range. Some of these went back 2 years. I asked how this wasn't included in my last negotiation and was told this is a different collection agency. We don't know. Now I don't know either, right. There is no way to verify which things I paid already to match up and ensure these are not duplicates. But if they are not paid, the fines keep a growing and they can petition to take my license away. This credit agency claims the tollway will only allow a 20% discount so I take it. Incidentally inrecently took a loan on my 401k to start a bathroom project. I live in a 50 year old home and my main bathroom is 30 years old with tiles buckling like crazy. There goes my bathroom. It now gets better and more interesting. I drive a company car. In the midst do talking to this lady at the collections agency, she mentions a license plate that I actually drive. My company car. Through all this tollway stuff I have grown untrusting of the IPass. I drive a lot. I religiously go through the toll booths and pay away. the toll workers in a couple of spots ""know"" me. I don't miss a toll. i go on liine to see what is up there and it shows several violations on my car. They won't take payment from me because the car is registered to the leasing company. I obtained an affidavit from the leasing company today stating that I can pay for this. I will be dealing with another $1800 bill tomorrow for what looks like 4 or so tolls. I don't believe I did it. If you live in. Illinois, watch your back in all things. If you don't, I wouldn't recommend living here.
Illinois Tollway Reviews
On July 19, 2014. I was driving to Michigan, following the route on my GPS, which took me through the Illinois Tollway and then to the Indiana Tollway. I specifically stopped at each tollbooth in the cash lane that was manned by tollbooth attendant. Approximately a week later, I received a notice in the mail from the Illinois Tollway stating I committed four separate violations in the time span of less than 30 min. . The total amount of violations was $86, $20 for each violation, and $1.50 for each unpaid toll. There was a photo my rear auto plate in this notice. I appealed these violations, according to the tollways appeal process. At that time, I explained in a letter the above to the tollbooth hearing officer, who was in charge of rendering a decision during my appeal.
On September, 2014 , I was informed in writing that I was found to be liable for all four violations.. The evidence was based solely on the photo of my rear auto plate. There were four separate photos on the tollways webs site, supposedly to represent four separate violations. In this last letter I was informe that failure to pay these violations by October 14, 2014 would result in a increase of the fines to $286. Also,, suspension to my vehicle registration, and the matter could be referred to an outside collection agency . My only other recourse would be to file an appeal with the 18th judicial circuit court of Illinois. I contacted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and was informed that my registration in Wisconsin could in fact be suspended.
I'm a retired Milwaukee police officer and it is inconceivable that I could or would commit for violations within 30 min. time span without my conscious knowledge. I am well aware that the tollbooths are manned with cameras. I would not risk a $1.50 toll free for a $20 violation; " I have to be deaf, dumb and blind." I'm being extorted to pay these violations. My recourse is to share this experience with others, who may use Illinois Tollway. To avoid being suggested this unethical practice, ensure that you obtain a cash receipt; "documentation would be your only protection".
Flawed System where consumers are forced to pay! I drove the through the IPASS tollway without an IPASS for the 1st week of August 2012, my mother was 1.5hr away from home having surgery for stage 3 colon cancer. I am aware that I needed to pay for the miss tolls, however I did not do this online as I could not remember the Plaza # gates and I had suprassed the 7 day window to do so.
So I decided to physically stop at the Lake Forest Oasis Plaza which has an Illinois State Toll Highway office for IPASS system on 9/18/12 to activate the IPASS I had bought back in January of 2012 and to pay for the 4 tolls I missed the 1st week of August 2012. The attendant was very helpful, we activated the IPASS and I gave her my vehicle information and told her about the miss tolls she took my credit card and charged the $40 for IPASS account balance. I was told that my account and vehicle were in good standing.
FAST Foward one year later, I'm checking my credit report and I have a $287.00 Collection on my credit report for Illinois State Toll Highway Authority for missed tolls in August of 2012. I called ISTHA spoke with a represenatative regarding the situation who not only confirmed that she could see in the system that I was at the Lake Forest Oasis and that I had paid $40 on 9/18/13 and that I had set my account up but she also confirmed that my mailing address on file was missing a digit and they had me listed as Ivanhoe instead of Mundelein, IL. None the less refused to alter this $287.00 collection fee on my credit report or would give me a manager to speak with.
I asked the ISTHA rep how do I have an IPASS and credit card on file to be charged for tolls, yet I being sent into collection and accumulated fees of $200.00 when you have an active credit card on file? The representative was EXTREMELY SASSY, stating thats how our system works...I said I never received a notice in mail for the 4 missed tolls and you confirmed that you had the worng address. I also stated to her I physically visisted the Lake Forest Oasis and spent 1/2hr with an Illinois State Toll Highway representative on 9/18/12 where I actived my IPASS and was told my account was in good standing that the missed tolls were not issue as I have a $40 balance on my account linked with the my vehicle and license plate number. Again, was told our system doesn't update that quickly it takes a few days for someone to see you missed tolls. I went through 4 toll booths from August 3 to August 8th of 2012, I went to the ISTHA Oasis on September 18, 2012 that is almost 6 weeks after the occurance. Again all the ISTHA rep could tell me was our system doesn't update quickly, so basically if you want to pay for missed tolls within a month you don'll allow drivers to do so. So I asked how does your system have the capability to received ONLINE payments within 7days of a missed toll? Your system is updated enough to capture that information, buts its not updated to allow a driver to pay for a tolls missed within 30 days at a physical ISTHA-IPASS location? What about the empolyee on 9/18/12 at the Lake Forest Oasis who confirmed my account was in good standing and that I was update? So because your flawed system of delays, poor employee service and overall ineffecicency I the consumer/driver have to pay for it.
Now mind you if I had received a notice in the mail, I would paid and tried to contest it. However, they had the wrong address and the ISTHA rep today 11/18/13 confirmed they had the wrong address on file but said no mail was forwarded or returned that we can see in our system so you have to pay the full balance of $287.00.
I paid the $287.00 because I do not want a negative remark on my credit report. However, it makes you wonder their system is that delayed and flawed with no ownership of their computer system defficencies and uneffective employees its all about collecting $$$ because this state of Illinois is so broke it doesn't matter.
1> Wrong Address on File with Confirmation wrong town & missing digit in address CAUSING no notices to be received via mail.
2> 9/18/12 Went to ISTHA - OASiS Lake Forest to pay for missed tolls and active IPASS was told account was in good standing.
3> Have active credit card on account since 9/18/12 that the fees could have been charged to. Instead rather add $200 in late penalty fees for 100 days late even though I made every attempt to pay within 30 days.
Melanie - Mundelein.
My son & I drove to Chicago to attend my 30th reunion. My sister lives near Brookfield and warned me in advance about all the tolls to go through and how much money to have. So FULLY prepared - I grew up north of the city - lived there 23 years and always new high penalities if didn't pay tolls. I opened my mailbox today & dumbfounded to see "Illinois Tollway" envelope???? I went back into my apartment to get my reading glasses & kept thinking, "WHY did they send me mail??". I knew we paid EVERY toll exactly what it stated - I'm a single mom, supporting numerous people right now.
I was soooo excited to go on this trip last month & had to really plan for it - no vacation since 1992, but now wished never went!! I hadn't been back to Chicago area in 16 yrs - I'm a total diehard fan of the Cubs, Blackhawks, John Hughes films - brag to co-workers & customers all the time... We arrived early evening fri evening & left early Sun morning, as had to get back to work. EXPLAIN to us - HOW did we get through if didn't pay??? ALL lights turned green & gates went up each time!!!...2 times at booths - should have got a receipt - should have filmed for proof!!!!!!!
I am sooo confused, soooo angry, in total disbelief on a $107.90 bill = 1.50 each toll x 5 x 20 = repay ALL tolls already paid + ungodly fines...Now can't pay me required health insurance bill as says to pay by 17th or extra $50 PER offense - I believe photo of license plates that are from OUT OF STATE are sent a notice easy to raise money for the city...as broke & feel won't come back to fight it in court - can't miss work, afford to drive there nor a lawyer & for them to say, "what proof?" & have to pay anyways.. What do they even do with the toll $ collected??...from what I remember, "Welcome to Illinois" - wham!! - hit a pothole, so NOT utilizing the funds properly...
My uncle was a devoted proud Chicago sergeant 20yrs at the 20th precinct & sister a 20+yr paramedic for the city. I immediately texted her & she thought VERY strange since gates went up & lights green = ONLY does if pay...yes, took time to throw coins in basket ones to make sure - it calculated to work. Of course number to call closed when opened mail & closed tomorrow, Sunday. I have MANY friends in Chicago area & talking with an attorney Monday morning for free. My son, 25, is totally angry!!! - doesn't want me to pay, as knows we did what we were asked...
This is NOT right, NOT fair...I never want to go back there again. It was wonderful seeing people I haven't seen in many years, including my sister & nephew, but I refused to be wronged by this %$#@!! tactic of raising $ on innocent people traveling through state - HELLO Illinois - your asking money from people who just spent $ in your area!!!...I attended art school in city, promote Navy Pier, museums & restaurants for people to go visit...NOW, I will be warning them to BEWARE, not such a great place to visit afterall - save your $ & time & visit a different state then Illinois...Now, I feel completely CRAPPY about my home state - I was to relocate back, to be by family, have son & grandson in hockey & start my custom design business there,
now taking it elsewhere - YES, this event has made me completely turned around on views of this city...I don't like corrupt people or places!!! I am usually a VERY calm person, VERY rarely complain - usually go out of way to compliment, BUT this is OUTLANDISH!!!! I see many other complaints, so I'm not the only one & many for outrageous totals - don't know if they paid their tolls or not, but we sure as heck did...So NO more singing, "Sweet Home Chicago"...all is I can say, it BETTER be corrected Monday & this is for warning others before hit the toll booths in that area...I will NEVER go in that area EVER again..Good riddance!
Where on earth is it allowed and legal to effectively charge interest rates of 1000% on a missed bill after 7 days! It gets better, If the customer does not pay within 30 days after the first 7, the fine grows by another 10 times the already engrossed fine. and and it goes on and on. A little over two years ago I had a teenage child battling a life threatening illness. The child was angry and depressed. My other young adult was angry and depressed. And I was battling it too. We were all trying to stay afloat and in some ways we all came out better than expected. In others, our life was chaos and we are still picking up the pieces. In the middle of this crisis my sister was battling a harrowing fight for her life, a blood disease that required a bone marrow transplant. There was a lot of chaos. My kids were driving cars registered to me, and I thank the Lord in their suffering and anger that the worst thing they did with those cars was rack up toll bills. I was beside myself, supporting them both With no financial help from their father --- with one starting college, another costing hundreds a month in medical bills and a job I desperately needed to be successful at to get us through it all that takes 50-60 hours a week. When toll bills started arriving, I at first looked at them, never thinking they would get so out of hand so fast----when things got completely out of control and I had have a child in a hospital setting long term there were certain things I just couldn't deal with. As things began to improve and I began to dig myself out of the large pile of bills accumulated I asked for a payment plan from the toll authority. They said no, that the plan is always to pay In full. I had to set it down a little longer before coming back to this because I couldn't afford the $5000 plus they told me I owed. In January of this year I decided to spend my bonus on getting out from under this. I went by the offices in hopes of talking to a human and working the 5,000 down And getting a payment plan. She told me there were no negotiations, and no payment plans but I could fill out paper work and to appeal. The paper work I was given was several pages asking for every detail of my finances. The writing was on the wall as I know a young single man who makes half of what I do who did get some relief but only by threatening to file bankruptcy and not pay them at all. I called a couple weeks later to try to pay that bill only to be told it was in collections. I called collections and was told I had a $15000 balance. I had asked at the tollway authority if the amount she had shown me was everything and she had said yes. So here I am freaking out at a now tripled prospect. With much negotiation I was able to get that bill down to $8000. I paid it dividing it between credit cards and depleting my Emergency fund. I thought I was free and clear. I was told some notices may still come in the next couple of weeks until the toll authority understood all was paid via collections. I asked for something in writing and was told my credit card bills would serve as receipt. I asked for specifics for what tolls on what days I was paying. This couldn't be provided. A month or so later when notices kept coming I found out that wasn't all (supposedly) . I had more that hadn't as yet been sent to collections to the tune of another $1500. I asked if I could have a payment plan and was told no. I made a $300 payment hoping it would buy me some grace. It did not. Shortly after I started receiving some collection notices from a different collector. the notices indicated I owed another 600 or so. I called to find out there were two accounts each around $2000! I asked the dates of the offenses. They can't produce a list of course but could give me a range. Some of these went back 2 years. I asked how this wasn't included in my last negotiation and was told this is a different collection agency. We don't know. Now I don't know either, right. There is no way to verify which things I paid already to match up and ensure these are not duplicates. But if they are not paid, the fines keep a growing and they can petition to take my license away. This credit agency claims the tollway will only allow a 20% discount so I take it. Incidentally inrecently took a loan on my 401k to start a bathroom project. I live in a 50 year old home and my main bathroom is 30 years old with tiles buckling like crazy. There goes my bathroom. It now gets better and more interesting. I drive a company car. In the midst do talking to this lady at the collections agency, she mentions a license plate that I actually drive. My company car. Through all this tollway stuff I have grown untrusting of the IPass. I drive a lot. I religiously go through the toll booths and pay away. the toll workers in a couple of spots ""know"" me. I don't miss a toll. i go on liine to see what is up there and it shows several violations on my car. They won't take payment from me because the car is registered to the leasing company. I obtained an affidavit from the leasing company today stating that I can pay for this. I will be dealing with another $1800 bill tomorrow for what looks like 4 or so tolls. I don't believe I did it. If you live in. Illinois, watch your back in all things. If you don't, I wouldn't recommend living here.