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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois lawmakers want to suspend late fees for license plate renewals, which have already brought the state $1.2 million this year and frustrated tardy motorists who didn't get a reminder in the mail.
The secretary of state's office stopped mailing reminders in October as a cost-saving measure because Illinois has gone months without a budget.
Not mailing the notices has caused a dramatic increase in late fees. Figures provided by the agency to The Associated Press show drivers paid more than $2.7 million in fines from Jan. 1 through Feb. 22. That's $1.2 million more than a year ago.
Lawmakers are proposing suspending the $20 fine for motorists until the state ends its budget deadlock. The bill is scheduled for a committee hearing Wednesday.
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