Secretary of State unsure on sending out license-renewal notices

The state stopped sending reminders to save money — and ended up making more money in late fees from drivers who didn’t renew their license plates on time. Now, officials are unsure whether to resume sending notices. | File photo

SPRINGFIELD — Just because Illinois lawmakers approved a stopgap budget doesn’t necessarily mean that drivers again will receive reminders in the mail that it’s time to renew their license-plate registrations.

The budget approved last week provides $35 million to cover the Secretary of State’s operations through December, but the office hasn’t determined yet whether some of that money should be used to start sending the notices again.

A spokesman said Secretary of State Jesse White’s staff will study other office expenses before making a decision about resuming the renewal reminders.

The office announced in September that it would stop mailing the notices because of the budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to save an estimated $450,000 a month.

Secretary of State Jesse White. | Sun-Times file photo

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