Illinois drivers can update their I-Pass accounts from smartphones and tablets

Illinois drivers can update their I-Pass accounts from smartphones and tablets
The Illinois Tollway released a new mobile site where Illinois drivers can update their accounts. The agency hopes this can reduce the number of violation notices sent to I-Pass users. AP/File
Illinois drivers can update their I-Pass accounts from smartphones and tablets
The Illinois Tollway released a new mobile site where Illinois drivers can update their accounts. The agency hopes this can reduce the number of violation notices sent to I-Pass users. AP/File

Illinois drivers can update their I-Pass accounts from smartphones and tablets

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Illinois drivers can now manage their tollway accounts from a smartphone or tablet.

The Illinois Tollway released a new mobile site Monday where customers can update information such as credit card and driver’s license numbers.

Wendy Abrams, the agency’s chief of communications, says they developed the site after finding that more than 80 percent of I-Pass customers prefer to manage their account information online.

She points out 41% of violation notices go to I-Pass customers.

“The ability to prevent that from happening is helpful for us not only because it avoids our customers having the headache of having received a toll violation in the mail, but it also saves our agency time and money,” she says.

The new site just makes life easier for drivers, says Beth Mosher, director of public affairs at AAA Chicago.

Next year, the agency plans to update the mobile site again so drivers can add money to their I-Pass accounts and order new transponders.

This comes on the heels of other toll road agencies such as the Transportation Corridor Agencies in Orange County, California.

Last May, it released a free mobile app for paying toll road accounts.

Alan Yu is a WBEZ metro desk intern. Follow him @Alan_Yu039.