The crash happened near Lemont Road in DuPage County at about 12:19 p.m., police said. A Dodge passenger vehicle slammed into the back of a truck tractor semi-trailer.
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One person was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The victim's identity has not been released.
The right two lanes of the I-55 northbound near Lemont Road have been closed since 12:30 p.m. for an investigation, police said. Traffic in the area is moving slowly.
Police did not immediately provide further information about the crash.