Leslie Boudreau was billed $4,619 by the Illinois tollway, with only two weeks to pay up before charges would inflate to $15,739.

Two taxi drivers were billed $80,571 last year for unpaid tolls dating back to 2003.

And Carla Meier-a resident of downstate Illinois who doesn’t use the tollway-recently received a $62 tollway fine while incapable of driving due to a broken foot.

Sadly, with the tollway’s modern I-Pass system, these situations are not unique. The top 50 toll violators have $2.2 million in outstanding fines, and although present information isn’t available, violators owed $78 million at the end of 2005.

But how do these monstrous fines accumulate?

Well, electronic tolling is both a blessing and curse. While I-Pass reduces traffic congestion (you can pay a toll without stopping at a booth), it also streamlines the taxing process. First, you put down a deposit for a transmitter that attaches to your windshield. This deposit is then used for tolls, and you can set up your account to automatically replenish itself via your credit card. Otherwise, you’re forced to monitor your toll account and manually send in money. A fine occurs when you drive through the I-Pass lane without adequate prepaid funds in your account.