I-Pass event helps drivers learn about Illinois Tollway's new transponders

Between his business and personal uses, Adam Bartos of Barrington is responsible for six vehicles, and all of them are driven at times on the Illinois toll roads.
When the Illinois Tollway began switching from transponders to Sticker Tags, allowing drivers to pay tolls on their I-PASS account electronically, Bartos started to have challenges when a new tag did not work.
First learning about the change in December when a letter arrived from the tollway authority with the Sticker Tag included, Bartos said it did not work. He called the tollway, and a new one was sent. He was unable to get it to function as well.
Learning about an I-PASS Event in nearby Wauconda, Bartos went with all six transponders and information on all six vehicles with hopes of walking away with Sticker Tags and ridding himself of the transponders. He learned about the event from state Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills.
'I was done in five to 10 minutes,' Bartos said. 'They took care of me and fixed it all up.'
Scores of people received free Sticker Tags for their vehicles and returned their transponders for recycling on Tuesday at the Wauconda Township office, acquiring the latest technology for paying tolls in the state's tollways.
Taking office in February after the retirement of former state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, Hills said she got the idea to hold the Sticker Tag event because it was a way to make something necessary easier for her constituents.
'This is an opportunity to turn in their transponders and get the new Sticker Tag,' Hills said. 'When they turn in their transponders, they get a $10 credit on their account. This is a way to make something easier for my constituents.'
Kim Johnson, Hills' events and engagement coordinator, said 166 people came to the event, returning 290 transponders and those who needed it, receiving the Sticker Tags.
As people entered the room, they were greeted and escorted to a tollway representative — there were seven there sitting on one side of a long table—to get their Sticker Tag, return their transponder, or both. It took between five and 10 minutes.
'Everything was very seamless,' Johnson said. 'There were no quirks. This is a good way to get to know the people in the district.'
Good on the Illinois tollways, the Sticker Tags can also be used on 34 toll roads around the country, including the Chicago Skyway and the Indiana Toll Road, according to the Illinois Tollway Authority's website.
Once installed, tollway authority spokesperson Dan Rozek said, once the Sticker Tag is applied to the windshield, tolls will be recorded by embedded identification within the sticker itself. He recommends replacing them if a person gets a new vehicle.
Should a person rent a car, transponders are movable from one vehicle to another. Rozek said they can log into their account online, enter the rental license plate number, and the dates they will be using the temporary vehicle.
For people like Chris Lawler of Wauconda, the event was a chance to 'get rid of my transponder.' Brenda Jentink of Wauconda Township said initially she had some concerns, but they were alleviated.
A Barrington Hills trustee before her appointment to the Illinois State Senate, Hills said occasions like the sticker event are an opportunity to interact with her constituents. Her 26th State Senate District has more than 50 times as many people as Barrington Hills.
'I hope to do more events like this, like a Mobile DMV,' Hills said. 'I may do an I-Cash event,' she added, referring to efforts of the Illinois State Treasurer to help people learn they have money sitting in an account in the treasurer's office. 'Town Halls are a good way of meeting people, too.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Chicago Tribune

8 hours ago

• Chicago Tribune

I-Pass event helps drivers learn about Illinois Tollway's new transponders

Between his business and personal uses, Adam Bartos of Barrington is responsible for six vehicles, and all of them are driven at times on the Illinois toll roads. When the Illinois Tollway began switching from transponders to Sticker Tags, allowing drivers to pay tolls on their I-PASS account electronically, Bartos started to have challenges when a new tag did not work. First learning about the change in December when a letter arrived from the tollway authority with the Sticker Tag included, Bartos said it did not work. He called the tollway, and a new one was sent. He was unable to get it to function as well. Learning about an I-PASS Event in nearby Wauconda, Bartos went with all six transponders and information on all six vehicles with hopes of walking away with Sticker Tags and ridding himself of the transponders. He learned about the event from state Sen. Darby Hills, R-Barrington Hills. 'I was done in five to 10 minutes,' Bartos said. 'They took care of me and fixed it all up.' Scores of people received free Sticker Tags for their vehicles and returned their transponders for recycling on Tuesday at the Wauconda Township office, acquiring the latest technology for paying tolls in the state's tollways. Taking office in February after the retirement of former state Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, Hills said she got the idea to hold the Sticker Tag event because it was a way to make something necessary easier for her constituents. 'This is an opportunity to turn in their transponders and get the new Sticker Tag,' Hills said. 'When they turn in their transponders, they get a $10 credit on their account. This is a way to make something easier for my constituents.' Kim Johnson, Hills' events and engagement coordinator, said 166 people came to the event, returning 290 transponders and those who needed it, receiving the Sticker Tags. As people entered the room, they were greeted and escorted to a tollway representative — there were seven there sitting on one side of a long table—to get their Sticker Tag, return their transponder, or both. It took between five and 10 minutes. 'Everything was very seamless,' Johnson said. 'There were no quirks. This is a good way to get to know the people in the district.' Good on the Illinois tollways, the Sticker Tags can also be used on 34 toll roads around the country, including the Chicago Skyway and the Indiana Toll Road, according to the Illinois Tollway Authority's website. Once installed, tollway authority spokesperson Dan Rozek said, once the Sticker Tag is applied to the windshield, tolls will be recorded by embedded identification within the sticker itself. He recommends replacing them if a person gets a new vehicle. Should a person rent a car, transponders are movable from one vehicle to another. Rozek said they can log into their account online, enter the rental license plate number, and the dates they will be using the temporary vehicle. For people like Chris Lawler of Wauconda, the event was a chance to 'get rid of my transponder.' Brenda Jentink of Wauconda Township said initially she had some concerns, but they were alleviated. A Barrington Hills trustee before her appointment to the Illinois State Senate, Hills said occasions like the sticker event are an opportunity to interact with her constituents. Her 26th State Senate District has more than 50 times as many people as Barrington Hills. 'I hope to do more events like this, like a Mobile DMV,' Hills said. 'I may do an I-Cash event,' she added, referring to efforts of the Illinois State Treasurer to help people learn they have money sitting in an account in the treasurer's office. 'Town Halls are a good way of meeting people, too.'

Android Authority

18 hours ago

• Android Authority

Android Auto inches closer to the light with new theme options (APK teardown)

Adamya Sharma / Android Authority TL;DR Android Auto's light theme could be coming soon, with new theming options added in the latest beta version. Users will soon be able to choose between Automatic, Light, and Dark themes for Android Auto. The new options will replace the current settings that only allow users to toggle the Google Maps theme between dark and light modes within Android Auto. Android Auto is getting closer to introducing a system-wide light theme — a feature users have been waiting for a long time. In version 14.7.152544 of Android Auto, we've now spotted settings for the upcoming light theme and have more details about how it's being implemented. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Android Auto's light theme has been in development for some time. Our previous teardown showed that Google plans to apply it consistently across apps, the navigation bar, and other parts of the Android Auto interface. The company even highlighted the light theme in a recent blog post during Google I/O 2025, held last month. However, Google has yet to officially announce a release date for the new theme. It now appears that the rollout may be imminent. In the latest version, new theme-switching options appear in the Settings menu. These will replace the current settings that only allow users to toggle the Google Maps theme between dark and light modes within Android Auto. Android Auto Current Google Maps Theme Settings Android Auto New Theme Settings Android Auto New Theme Settings The new theme options for Android Auto include Automatic, Light, and Dark. Selecting 'Automatic' will match Android Auto's theme with the theme setting of the connected Android phone. In addition to the car dashboard, these new theme settings also replace the separate Google Maps theme options within the Android Auto settings on your phone. Current Android Auto Settings on Android Phones New Android Auto Settings on Android Phones Showing Theme options New Android Auto Settings on Android Phones Showing Theme options With the new theme settings already showing up in the latest Android Auto beta build, it's clear that Google is putting the finishing touches on the system-wide light theme. We used some tricks to enable the feature, but you might not have to wait much longer to enjoy a brighter Android Auto interface behind the wheel. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.

Yahoo

2 days ago

• Yahoo

Synopsys (SNPS) and Samsung Foundry Team Up to Advance AI Chip Design

Synopsys Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) is one of the 11 must-buy AI stocks analysts are betting on. On June 16, the company announced a strategic collaboration with Samsung Foundry. The two are joining forces to power the next generation of chip designs capable of handling edge artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence applications. A close-up of a complex network of integrated circuits used in logic semiconductors. The companies are to power the most complex multi-designs that enable customers to deliver advanced technologies to the market. They have already achieved a successful customer tape from an HBM3 design on the Samsung SF2 process and I-cube technology. Synopsys has also achieved certification for its AI-driven digital and analog flows in Samsung SF2 processes. The milestone allows the company to accelerate the development of high-performance designs. Additionally, the company has expanded its IP portfolio to support the development of applications for high-performance computing in the automotive markets. Synopsys Inc. (NASDAQ:SNPS) delivers electronic design automation (EDA) software and IP solutions for designing and testing integrated circuits. Operating through Design Automation and Design IP segments, it offers tools for digital and custom IC design, verification, FPGA design, TCAD, and AI-driven solutions. Its IP portfolio includes interfaces like USB, PCIe, Ethernet, and HDMI, as well as processor cores, embedded memories, security, automotive, and SoC infrastructure components. While we acknowledge the potential of SNPS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 12 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy Now and 10 Stocks Analysts Are Upgrading Today. Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio