Illinois Tollway Proposes Major Capital Plan and Commercial Toll Increase
The Illinois Tollway has unveiled its proposed Driving Connections capital program, a 15-year, $26.5 billion investment plan designed to modernize and expand the state's tollway system between 2027 and 2042. The proposal includes roadway reconstruction, congestion relief projects, system expansion, and ongoing maintenance to improve mobility across northern Illinois. To help fund these investments, the Tollway is proposing its first rate increase in more than a decade, including an approximately 30% increase for commercial vehicle tolls and a 45-cent increase per toll for passenger vehicles. The proposal also includes biennial toll adjustments tied to inflation through the Consumer Price Index. Public comments and hearings are scheduled through early August before any final decision is made.
For fleets operating in Illinois, the proposed toll increase would directly impact operating costs, particularly for high-mileage vehicles traveling through the Chicago region. Commercial I-PASS users would see average toll costs rise making route planning and toll expense management even more important. While the infrastructure improvements could reduce congestion and improve long-term travel reliability, fleet managers should begin evaluating the potential financial impact now, including updating operating budgets, reviewing routing strategies, and incorporating higher toll expenses into total cost of ownership calculations for 2027 and beyond.
GM Cancels Remaining 2026 Express and Savana Orders
General Motors has announced that it will be unable to fulfill all remaining 2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana orders after receiving a higher-than-expected volume of orders before the model-year cutoff. Customers with canceled orders will be contacted directly, and GM plans to offer both price protection and priority scheduling for equivalent 2027 model-year orders.
New Vehicle Sales Remain Resilient Despite Economic Headwinds
The U.S. new-vehicle market continues to show surprising resilience as June sales are expected to finish at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of approximately 16.1 million units, consistent with the previous three months. While first-half sales are projected to finish 3.6% below 2025 levels, demand has remained steady despite higher interest rates, elevated fuel prices, and ongoing economic uncertainty. Affordability continues to be the biggest challenge for consumers, driven more by higher household expenses and financing costs than vehicle pricing. Cox Automotive expects the market to remain relatively stable through the rest of 2026, maintaining its full-year forecast of 15.8 million new-vehicle sales.