D’Amico Passes Measure To Ensure Vehicle Registration Reminders Are Mailed To Residents

CHICAGO – To help ensure that residents continue to receive mailed vehicle registration reminders and avoid costly late fees, state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is pushing legislation that allows the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to permit select businesses to advertise on the notices.

“Unexpected costs can throw a wrench in working families’ budgets and can be the difference in being able to pay rent or other bills on time,” D’Amico said. “My proposal will ensure that vehicle registration reminders continue to be sent out, regardless of the status of the state budget,” D’Amico said. “After the Secretary of State’s office stopped sending registration renewal reminders, the numbers of fines sent out skyrocketed, with many working families’ facing tight budgets, they can’t afford those kind of unexpected expenses.”

D’Amico’s proposal, House Bill 394, will provide private funds to make the vehicle registration reminder program self-sufficient. In October of 2015, due to the budget impasse, the Secretary of State’s Office ceased mailing out reminders, causing fines on working families to increase dramatically. By allowing advertisers to supplement the cost of mailing, D’Amico’s measure makes sure that regardless of the status of the state budget, residents will continue to receive their reminders. Under the bill, potential advertisers will have to participate in a strict vetting process before they are given space on the reminders.

“Motorists should never be penalized due to the lack of a state budget,” D’Amico said. “I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the governor to ensure this proposal—that will help protect working families from unfair fees—is signed into law.”

House Bill 394 passed the House with bipartisan support and is awaiting further consideration in the Senate.