Post by Logan on Feb 26, 2016 2:06:09 GMT -6
Illinois collecting more in license plate fines after ending reminder notices
In the latest twist in Illinois' financial crisis, the state is getting a windfall of $1.2 million — and growing — thanks to its decision to stop mailing reminders to motorists to renew their license plate stickers.
The income from the $20 late fines has more than doubled for the first two months of this year, according to figures provided to The Associated Press by the secretary of state's office, which collects the fines. Drivers paid more than $2.7 million in fines from Jan. 1 through Feb. 22. Last year, the state collected about $1.5 million in fines for those two months.
The secretary of state's office stopped mailing renewal reminders in October as a way to save an estimated $450,000 on postage during the state's budget stalemate, which has gone on for eight months.
Because of a 30-day grace period, the first fines for those who didn't get reminders were levied in January. The agency is required to fine people who fail to renew their plate stickers after the grace period expires, and the money goes into the state's general revenue fund.
Read more: www.sj-r.com/news/20160225/illinois-collecting-more-in-license-plate-fines-after-ending-reminder-notices
In the latest twist in Illinois' financial crisis, the state is getting a windfall of $1.2 million — and growing — thanks to its decision to stop mailing reminders to motorists to renew their license plate stickers.
The income from the $20 late fines has more than doubled for the first two months of this year, according to figures provided to The Associated Press by the secretary of state's office, which collects the fines. Drivers paid more than $2.7 million in fines from Jan. 1 through Feb. 22. Last year, the state collected about $1.5 million in fines for those two months.
The secretary of state's office stopped mailing renewal reminders in October as a way to save an estimated $450,000 on postage during the state's budget stalemate, which has gone on for eight months.
Because of a 30-day grace period, the first fines for those who didn't get reminders were levied in January. The agency is required to fine people who fail to renew their plate stickers after the grace period expires, and the money goes into the state's general revenue fund.
Read more: www.sj-r.com/news/20160225/illinois-collecting-more-in-license-plate-fines-after-ending-reminder-notices