My husband and I honeymooned in Chicago in April 2007. We had never been there before and thought it would be a neato trip, plus there was an exhibit at one of Chicago's museums that I wanted to see.
Well, aside from the crappy time I had there (I did not enjoy myself AT ALL! I enjoyed my husband though.), to add insult to injury I received a bill from the State of Illinois Tollway for almost $300.00! But here's the kicker: I didn't get the bill until February of THIS YEAR! Almost TWO YEARS LATER! Where do they get off sending me a bill almost two years later?
So of course I called to get more info on the situation. The representative who took my call says that we missed four toll booths (on I-90 I'm guessing - she rattled off some random intersections but since I'm not from Illinois I had no idea what she was talking about). Now, we paid the toll at the booth when got off the freeway at our exit, but the rep said we were supposed to exit the freeway at each of the other booths, pay the toll, and get back on the freeway and proceed to my destination. WHAT???!? Let me tell you, there were NO signs on the freeway that my husband or I saw that said we had to exit the freeway at each booth, pay the toll, and get back on. In all my travels across the U. S., I've never heard of that. All the other states I've been to had one big toll booth across the entire freeway, and you had no choice but to stop and go through the booth in order to proceed. To make matters worse, the State of Illinois has now placed my bill with a collections agency and is threatening to have my driver's license and vehicle registration revoked!
I want to find a Michigan lawyer who knows about Illinois traffic laws so I can ask them a couple of questions. In the back of my mind, I'm wondering if it's worth paying to retain a lawyer, plus court costs, when I could possibly come out cheaper by just paying the bill. But I don't want to be duped into paying a bogus bill or have to drive to Chicago to visit a lawyer either. Does anyone know of a good traffic lawyer in Michigan who knows about Illinois traffic laws, preferably one with a free consultation?
I would call the Ill Secretary of State and discuss it with them. You are right that retaining an attorney will cost you more than the bill.
It sounds like you accidentaly used the EZ Pass lane. Since you drove through the lane without paying it took a picture of your license plate, charged you the fees and fines for not paying. Each time you see a toll booth you have to pay, even if your not getting off there. You pay and you can get off or be routed back on. I don't know if you want to take the time to hire a lawyer but I would ask the IL people why it took so long for you to get a bill.
I was shocked to see your posting! Makes me nervous about taking a trip to Illinois! Reading up on their laws about their toll booths, it sure seems like it would be a common mistake for travelers from other states to have this happen to them...with no recourse either. Here is a link I found you may want to read. I also noticed they have hearings for your situation and the court costs come to just UNDER the $300 EVEN IF YOU WIN! Anyway, here is the link. Let everyone know what happens, will you? GOOD LUCK! http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=108098 "Critics call for toll collection reform"
Last time I checked, should still be true, Michigan and Illinois don't have reciprocity for traffic fines. So, your license, registration are ok, unless something has changed in the last few years.
Many people have gotten the toll booth fines reduced. Make them an offer. Do some googling, it's quite a controversy, especially because they wait FOREVER to send you a bill, thus racking up the late fees on top of late fees.
I think this is a scam, Christina. I talked to my husband about it and he said to look up/call the actual authority over the IL toll booths then send a letter about it to one of the big Chicago papers. This is crazy! I think someone is trying to get money from you fraudulently. This cannot be the law in Illinois! I've driven on those roads and they're like any toll roads where you pay as you exit, just as you said. DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MONEY!
This sounds bogus to me. I have driven through Chicago many times and the tolls you pay are the ones you can't get by without paying. Did you call the number on the info you got? I think I would try a different number. I will check with my nephew. He lives in Chicago. If he has any info, I will send it to you. What a mess!
It sounds like some sort of scam. Don't give them any of your info. People can come up with fake documents that make them look official. Be careful. Call Fox 2 problem solvers and tell them the story. Sounds very strange.
I just got back from Chicago a few weeks ago, and we had to stop at about 4 toll booths using I-94/90, but each one MAKES you stop and pay. You don't have to get off and get back on anywhere, its just your standard toll station. I would first make sure that you are calling the actual highway authority and not some scam number, website:
http://www.illinoistollway.com/portal/page?_pageid=133,1&...
That site would also give you more information about the toll roads and how they SHOULD work. Unless you somehow went through the express pass lane, which you still would have SEEN a booth, this sounds fishy to me. I would first make sure that its legit, and if it is, pay the fine. Its likely cheaper then the fight.
I never lived in Illinois, but I have driven in MANY states with MANY toll boths. Never did I have to exit just to pay a toll and then get back on. That would contradict the purpose of using (and paying for) toll roads. The reason people are willing to pay to use them is because they are faster than alternative routes.
Sounds like a scam. Did you call the number provided on the bill? If so, that's part of the scam. Look up the state of Illinois on the internet and contact them that way.
Good luck. I hope it is just a scam. If not, Illinois is seriously mixed up. Please be sure to let us all know how it turns out.
I've been to Chicago about 50 times and love it. I have never had anything like this happen to me. It sounds like a big scam. I would first call Legal Aid in Chicago and ask their advice.
