How to Get an Illinois I Pass

An Illinois I-PASS can save you plenty of time and money on toll roads. It's an electronic transponder that's normally affixed to your windshield which allows you to pass through the toll plaza without stopping to pay. Instead, the toll is automatically deducted from your prepaid account. I-PASS passenger vehicles also receive a 50 percent discount off toll rates. With a few quick steps, you can be on the way to getting an I Pass in minutes.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:
Order an I-PASS Online

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    Use the Internet. You can order your I-PASS over the Internet with a few bits of information and a credit card. To order online, go to the Illinois Tollway website. Click the Online button at the top.[1]
    • Create an account by entering your email. You will be asked to verify your email address by clicking on the link they send you. Do so and proceed with your order.
    • Enter the number of transponders you need, and whether this is a personal or business account.
    • Fill out your personal information, including your name, address, city, state, zip, phone, and your driver's license number.
    • Enter a record for each vehicle that you will use your transponder(s) with. If you use a transponder on an unregistered vehicle, you'll be fined, so make sure you include all vehicles that might share a transponder, even if you don't plan on using it regularly.
    • Fill up your transponder with money. There is a $10 refundable deposit for the transponder itself, and a minimum of $40 for tolls. Your transponder will automatically debit credit card when it falls below the minimum threshold, which is the greater of 10 percent of your monthly average I-PASS usage or $10.00. Replenishment amounts range from $40 to $1,000.
    • Fill out your credit card info, and allow 14 business days for processing and delivery.

Method 2
Method 2 of 5:
Order By Phone

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    Call 800-UC-IPASS (800-824-7277). Representatives at the Customer Call Center can answer questions and take orders seven days a week.[2]
    • Hours are Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 10 PM, and on weekends from 8 AM to 5 PM.
    • To avoid peak call times, call Tuesday through Friday after 6 PM, or during the weekend.
    • Please allow 14 business days for processing and delivery.

Method 3
Method 3 of 5:
Purchase From A Retail Outlet

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    Jewel-Osco. Pick up an I-PASS transponder on your next visit to the grocery store. Nearly 200 Jewel-Osco locations in Illinois provide I-PASS and I-PASS gift cards.[3]
    • Jewel-Osco applies a $2.90 service charge per transponder.
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    Road Ranger. Passenger or commercial truck transponders also are available at three Road Ranger locations in Northwest Illinois.[4]
    • Gift cards are not available at Road Ranger locations.
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    Activate your transponder. Activation is required for transponders obtained at a Jewel-Osco or Road Ranger location. Activation instructions are included in the transponder box. Once activated, transponders are ready for use within 24 hours in Illinois and within 48 hours in other states that accept I-PASS.[5]
    • You may activate your transponder online or by phone (800-926-6500).

Method 4
Method 4 of 5:
Order by Mail

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    Download the PDF here. Complete the I-PASS application and mail it with payment.
    • It is $50 to open an automatic replenishment accounts ($10 refundable deposit/$40 prepaid tolls).
    • Manual replenishment of accounts requires a $60 payment ($20 refundable deposit/$40 prepaid tolls).
    • Make checks or money orders payable to the Illinois Tollway.
    • Submit application and payment to:
      • I-PASS
      • P.O. Box 5225
      • Lisle, IL 60532
    • Allow 14 business days for processing and delivery.
    • Download the application en Español here.

Method 5
Method 5 of 5:
Pick up an I-PASS at a Customer Service Center

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    Walk on up. I-PASS services are available weekdays at these eight locations at the following times:[6]
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    Weekdays 7 AM to 6 PM[7]
    • The Tollway's Central Administration Building
      • 2700 Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove, IL
    • Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis
      • Location: Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80), Milepost 1
    • Lake Forest Oasis
      • Location: Tri-State Tollway (I-94), Milepost 18
    • Belvidere Oasis
      • Location: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Milepost 24
    • Des Plaines Oasis
      • Location: Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Milepost 74.5
    • O'Hare Oasis
      • Location: Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Milepost 38
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    Mondays Only, 10 AM to 3 PM
    • Hinsdale Oasis
      • Location: Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Milepost 25
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    Fridays Only, 10 AM to 2 PM[8]
    • DeKalb Oasis
      • Location: Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), Milepost 93

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I buy an I Pass quickly?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Go to a Jewel Osco, or an I Pass customer service counter at some selected Oases. Do not order online, as you'll have to wait for a full month for it to arrive.
  • Question
    Can I buy an I pass and use it on a rental car?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. Add the rental car to your account before your trip. Remove it after the tolls appear on your account.
  • Question
    Is an EZ pass the same as an Ipass?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They are similar. You can pay for tolls with your I-Pass wherever the E-ZPass is accepted. You can't pay for other E-ZPass charges, like parking, with your I-Pass.
  • Question
    Is there an expiration date on the I-pass?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They may send you a new transponder after maybe ten years since they do age. There was no cost the last time this happened for us. The old one was sent back in and included prepaid postage packaging.
  • Question
    Does the I-PASS work in Michigan and Wisconsin?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Michigan and Wisconsin do not have toll roads as of 2016. You don't need I-PASS there.
  • Question
    How much would a pass cost for a year?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    After the refundable deposit, it's the cost of each toll.
  • Question
    Can I use the I Pass without my transponder in the car?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you just have to log onto the website and add your license plate number.
  • Question
    Will this transponder work for other states besides Illinois?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, in the following states that us E-ZPass: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
  • Question
    Where do I get extra sticky tape that holds the I pass on the window?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try AutoZone. They should carry something that will hold the I pass to the window.
  • Question
    Does the I-pass work on route 355?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. I spent 4 years commuting between Hoffman Estates and Naperville on 355 and my I-Pass worked just fine.
Show more answers

Warnings

  • If an I-PASS transponder doesn't work on your windshield, because it contains metal, you'll need to get a License Plate Tag instead. It is attached to the front license plate.
    Thanks!
  • The I-PASS transponder must be properly affixed to your windshield for it to work.
    Thanks!

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/tolling-information/about-ipass#Get%20I-PASS%20And%20Get%20Going!
  2. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/contact-us
  3. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/tolling-information/about-ipass
  4. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/tolling-information/about-ipass
  5. ↑ https://www2.illinois.gov/services/THA/i-pass-activation
  6. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/tolling-information/about-ipass
  7. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/tolling-information#Superior%20Customer%20Service
  8. ↑ https://www.illinoistollway.com/tolling-information#Superior%20Customer%20Service

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 22 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 564,317 times.
57 votes - 61%
Co-authors: 22
Updated: June 29, 2021
Views: 564,317
Categories: United States Travel | Toll Roads
Article SummaryX

To get an Illinois I-PASS, go to the Illinois Tollway website to put in an order. You’ll need to provide your email address, name, address, and driver’s license number. Additionally, you’ll need to enter a record for each vehicle that you’ll use your I-PASS with, and fill your I-PASS account with money by connecting it to a debit card. After filling out all your information, you should receive your new I-PASS in a couple weeks. To learn how to order an I-PASS over the phone, and some retail outlets you can get an I-PASS from, keep reading!

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