An end to reminders for Registration expiration

Gus Philpott
The Woodstock Advocate
December 17, 2015

By now, if you are an Illinois motorist, you probably know that the cheapskates in Springfield will no longer mail you a reminder that your expensive Illinois license plates will no longer be mailed to you. You're on your own to remember to pay your annual license plate fees on time, every time.

A passenger-car renewal tag is $101. That's ONE HUNDRED ONE DOLLARS. Even more if your big ego wants a personalized or vanity plate.

The Great State of Illinois cannot afford to spend $0.49 to mail you a reminder? Plus a nickel or dime to print it? They could send a postcard for even less.

What happens to all the money they collect???

Keep in mind, of course, the extortion level of license plate fees and other services from the DMV; for example, title transfer. Currently, that's $95.00. It used to be $65.00, and before that, even less. How much should it be? $25.00 ought to be plenty for pushing a few pieces of paper around on a desk and mailing out a title.

You may not know that you can tell Illinois to email you a reminder of your approaching registration expiration. Be sure to give them a permanent email address (for those of you who change your email addresses as often as you brush your teeth).

"Due to the lack of a state budget, the Secretary of State's office is suspending the mailing of vehicle registration renewal reminder notices. By suspending this service, which will save approximately $450,000 per month, the office will be able to prolong the ability to mail vehicle registration renewal stickers, titles and license plates to vehicle owners for a few months longer before the postage account is depleted. Vehicle owners are encouraged to be mindful of their vehicle registration status. Motorists can sign up to receive reminder notices electronically by email." (Source: www.cyberdriveillinois.com)