COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – State Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is informing residents that the Secretary of State has extended the expiration dates for driver’s licenses and state ID cards to Jan. 1, 2022. 

 “This extension helps individuals who do not want to rush to the DMV, especially as facilities face a high volume of customers as offices reopen,” said Stuart. “This extension helps to create a safer environment at driver facilities for both visitors and staff.”

 Stuart backed Senate Bill 2232, which authorized the Secretary of State to extend driver’s licenses and ID card renewals to Jan. 1, 2022. The extension covers expiration dates up until December of this year, but does not cover commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. The Secretary of State strongly encourages residents to consider using their online services for basic needs, including the purchase of license plate stickers or for renewing a license. The driver services website can be accessed at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

“I encourage everyone to visit the Secretary of State’s website to see if they can avoid making a trip to the DMV,” said Stuart. “Our state offers a number of convenient services online nowadays, and I hope residents are able to take advantage of them not just during the pandemic, but down the road as well.”

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – Ensuring local seniors are able to access crucial state services offered by the Secretary of State in a convenient and timesaving manner, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is inviting them to join him and Vernon Township for a Super Mobile DMV event.

“A trip to the local DMV can be quite difficult for local seniors, especially if they need to be accompanied by someone else,” Didech said. “I appreciate Vernon Township’s efforts to make sure seniors in our community have access to crucial resources in an easy and efficient way.”

Local seniors in need of updating their driver’s license address will be able to do so at this event, however, proof of their address change is required. Additionally, while road tests will not be offered at this event, individuals over 65 will be able to receive a free lifetime State ID along with a refresher course on the Rules of the Road. Local seniors who apply for a new permanent driver’s license/ID will receive a temporary, secure paper card, which is valid for 90 days. They can expect to receive their high quality, secure driver’s license/ID via U.S. mail within 15 days.

For more information, please contact Rep. Didech’s full-time constituent service office at 847-478-9909.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, to help save taxpayer dollars and ensure motorists continue receiving vehicle registration reminders in the mail recently passed the House.

“Many drivers are used to receiving vehicle registration reminders and it’s important we take steps to protect this valuable service,” Walsh said. “I applaud the Secretary of State on finding new ways to generate revenue to cover the costs of mailing these important reminders without raising taxes.”

Walsh is sponsoring House Bill 394, which would allow the Secretary of State’s office to offset the cost of vehicle registration reminders by including small advertisements on the letters. According to the Secretary, the reminder mailings cost taxpayers approximately $450,000 a month in postage. Walsh’s bill will give the Secretary of State financial flexibility during the ongoing budget crisis to ensure these reminders continue being mailed out.

In October 2015, vehicle registration reminders were discontinued due to the budget crisis. Mail reminders were reinstated August 2016 after the passage of a stopgap budget. Walsh also supported a new law last year waving late fees for drivers who didn’t receive a registration reminder in the mail and failed to renew their registration.

Walsh is also encouraging drivers to sign up for email vehicle registration reminders at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

“Seniors will especially benefit from this bill, because for many of them, the only way they have ever been reminded to renew their vehicle registration is by mail,” Walsh said. “Giving flexibility to accommodate residents who are not as technologically savvy by sending reminders in the mail will help older residents living on a fixed income avoid costly late fees.”

House Bill 394 passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and now moves onto the Senate for further consideration.

CHICAGO – A measure supported by state Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, that aims to combat human trafficking by requiring applicants for commercial driver’s license (CDL) to receive information the crime and how to prevent it has been sent to the governor’s desk.

“Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery that causes significant pain and suffering to victims throughout the country,” D’Amico said. “We need to be educating folks using the road networks that attract human trafficking of the crime’s human impact and how it can be prevented.”

The D’Amico-backed measure, House Bill 1677, would require the Secretary of State to incorporate a course on human trafficking within the training curriculum of accredited CDL education programs. Human trafficking, which typically forces individuals into involuntary labor or uses them for sexual exploitation, is estimated to affect between 14,500 and 17,500 individuals within the United States. Globally, human trafficking victimizes more than 20 million people. The proposal passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support.

“No one should have to suffer through this horrible crime,” D’Amico said. “People’s lives are at risk and this training will help individuals identify victims and prevent cases of human trafficking.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, to help save taxpayer dollars and ensure motorists continue receiving vehicle registration reminders in the mail recently passed the House.

“Many drivers are used to receiving vehicle registration reminders and it’s important we take steps to protect this valuable service,” Walsh said. “I applaud the Secretary of State on finding new ways to generate revenue to cover the costs of mailing these important reminders without raising taxes.”

Walsh is sponsoring House Bill 394, which would allow the Secretary of State’s office to offset the cost of vehicle registration reminders by including small advertisements on the letters. According to the Secretary, the reminder mailings cost taxpayers approximately $450,000 a month in postage. Walsh’s bill will give the Secretary of State financial flexibility during the ongoing budget crisis to ensure these reminders continue being mailed out.

In October 2015, vehicle registration reminders were discontinued due to the budget crisis. Mail reminders were reinstated August 2016 after the passage of a stopgap budget. Walsh also supported a new law last year waving late fees for drivers who didn’t receive a registration reminder in the mail and failed to renew their registration.

Walsh is also encouraging drivers to sign up for email vehicle registration reminders at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

“Seniors will especially benefit from this bill, because for many of them, the only way they have ever been reminded to renew their vehicle registration is by mail,” Walsh said. “Giving flexibility to accommodate residents who are not as technologically savvy by sending reminders in the mail will help older residents living on a fixed income avoid costly late fees.”

House Bill 394 passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and now moves onto the Senate for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To help save taxpayer dollars and ensure residents continue receiving vehicle registration reminders in the mail, state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, is sponsoring a proposal by Secretary of State Jesse White to offset the cost of registration reminders by selling advertisement space.

“I understand how important vehicle registration reminders are to many drivers who rely on them to know when to renew their registration and avoid costly penalties,” Walsh said. “This legislation will help save taxpayer dollars and ensure these valuable reminders continue being mailed.”

Walsh is sponsoring House Bill 394, which would allow the Secretary of State’s office to offset the cost of vehicle registration reminders by including small advertisements on the letters. According to the Secretary, the reminder mailings cost taxpayers approximately $450,000 a month in postage. Walsh’s bill will give the Secretary of State financial flexibility during the ongoing budget crisis to ensure these reminders continue being mailed out.

In October 2015, vehicle registration reminders were discontinued due to the budget crisis. Mail reminders were reinstated August 2016 after the passage of a stopgap budget. Walsh also supported a new law last year waving late fees for drivers who didn’t receive a registration reminder in the mail and failed to renew their registration.

Walsh is also encouraging drivers to sign up for email vehicle registration reminders at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

“I believe it’s important to give drivers options and my bill gives the Secretary of State’s office the ability to preserve registration reminders,” Walsh said. “I also encourage residents to sign up for email registration reminders through the Secretary of State’s website.”

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 introducing legislation that allows the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to allow 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. “This proposal allows vehicle registration reminders to continue to be sent out, regardless of the status of the state budget.”

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 not be penalized for the legislature’s inaction on a budget,” D’Amico said. “As the Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, it’s important to me that we offer the most streamlined, efficient and cost-effective services to motorists in our state.”

For more information, please contact D’Amico’s full-time constituent service office at (773) 736-0218.

ELGIN, Ill. – To create an account of the service of Illinois’ veterans and civilians during wartime, state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, is encouraging local residents to participate in the Illinois Veterans’ History Project, a program created by Secretary of State Jesse White after Congress charged the Library of Congress with preserving stories of military service.

“The Illinois Veterans’ History Project gives service members and their loved ones the chance to put their memories into a permanent record,” Moeller said. “I encourage veterans and their family members to take part in this project so that we never forget the service of these brave men and women.”

To participate, veterans or their family members can complete an Illinois Patriots Information Form from the Secretary of State’s office. Forms are found at driver service facilities throughout Illinois or on their website https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/public/veteransproject.html. Those who participate will receive an Official Certificate of Appreciation for their participation.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, the project has nearly 6,000 digitized records accessible through the State Library’s Illinois Digital Archive and approximately 300 streamed interviews on the project’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/ilveteransproject.

“We must always remember and be thankful for the courageous efforts of the brave men and women who serve our country,” Moeller said. “As state Representative, I’m committed to protecting vital services for veterans and increasing veteran appreciation in Illinois. I encourage veterans and their families to participate in the Illinois Veteran History Project.”

For more information about the Illinois Veterans History Project, please contact Moeller’s constituent service office at 847-841-7130 or email StateRepMoeller@gmail.com.

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