The crash happened around 3:56 p.m. on Interstate 294 near Golf Road in Des Plaines, Illinois State Police said.
Four vehicles were involved in the chain reaction crash, police said. One driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity was not immediately known.
Three other drivers were taken to hospital with injuries, police said.
Three left lanes on southbound I-294 were closed as police investigated. All lanes have since reopened.
No other injuries were initially reported.
No further information was immediately available about the cause of the crash.