Illinois Statutes Chapter 605. Roads and Bridges § 5/10-302. Operation of bridge and approaches; rules and regulations; toll charges

§ 10-302. Every county which, by ordinance, determines to exercise the powers granted by this Division of this Article has the right to acquire by purchase or otherwise, to construct, repair, maintain and operate any such bridge and its approaches across, above or under any railroad or public utility right-of-way, and in, upon, under or above any public or private road, highway, street, alley or public ground, or upon any property owned by any municipality, political subdivision or agency of this State, and for the purpose of acquiring property or easements necessary or incidental in the construction, repair, maintenance or operation of any such bridge and the approaches thereto, any such county shall have the right of eminent domain as provided by the Eminent Domain Act. 1 The county board of each such county has power to make, enact and enforce all needful rules and regulations in connection with the acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation, management, care or protection of any such bridge, and such county board shall establish rates of toll or charges for the use of each such bridge which shall be sufficient at all times to pay the cost of maintenance and operation of such bridge and its approaches, and the principal of and interest on all bonds issued and all other obligations incurred by such county under the provisions of this Division of this Article. Rules and regulations shall be established from time to time by ordinance.

Rates of toll or charges for the use of each such bridge shall be established, revised, maintained, be payable and be enforced, including by administrative adjudication as provided in Section 10-302.5, as the county board of each such county may determine by ordinance.

The General Assembly finds that electronic toll collection systems in Illinois should be standardized to promote safety, efficiency, and traveler convenience. If electronic toll collection is used on such bridge, the county shall configure the electronic toll collection system to be compatible with the electronic toll collection system used by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. The county may enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to provide for such compatibility or to have the Authority provide electronic toll collection or toll violation enforcement services. Any toll bridges in Winnebago County that are in operation and collecting tolls on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly are exempt from the provisions of the Act.