FREEPORT – State Senator Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) is criticizing the decision by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the democrats who cleared the way for the largest tollway rate increase in state history, which will affect tollways in Winnebago County, despite overwhelming opposition.
“This decision is absolutely typical. Voices from Republicans, Democrats and independents alike did not want the largest toll hike in state history, but the Governor and his allies just had to find a way to take more money out of our pockets,” Senator Chesney said.
Thousands of people throughout communities, on social media and all over voiced their opinion and submitted public comment overwhelmingly opposing this hike. In Senator Chesney’s survey alone, out of more than 900 residents of the 45th Senate District who completed it, 95% said they were not in favor of implementing this ridiculous cash grab.
“These tollways were promised to eventually go away. They are not,” Senator Chesney said. “They’ve become a permanent revenue stream, and now they’re fueling even more of the economic mistakes Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his allies keep making. They have completely and utterly disregarded the people of Illinois and their voices. They are not doing what they are supposed to as elected officials: serve the people of Illinois.”
The tollway rate increase will begin January 1, 2027, increasing passenger vehicle tolls by 45 cents per toll and commercial vehicle tolls by 30%. Beginning in 2029, toll rates would automatically adjust every two years based on inflation.
