There was an initial crash near the intersection of Route 20 and McLean Boulevard about 6:30 p.m. involving four cars. But, while Elgin fire crews were on the scene, four more cars crashed.
In total, 13 people were involved.
One person was taken to a local hospital in serious condition, but is expected to survive, fire officials said.
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Extremely slick conditions on a bridge in the area were to blame, according to the fire department.
A rain-snow mix fell across the Chicago area Thursday night, as temperatures hovered around freezing.
More black ice is possible Friday morning, ABC7 Chicago meteorologist Tracy Butler said.
Sun-Times Media contributed to this report.