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Leon Fields, of Glenwood, along with hundreds of other motorists, are discovering they are personally involved in the ongoing state budget impasse between Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrats who control the legislature.

“They hit me with a $20 late fee because they ran out of money down in Springfield to mail out license plate vehicle sticker renewal notices,” the 68-year-old Fields told me during a telephone call. “Every year, we get sticker renewal notices from the (secretary of state), and this year no notice. Nobody told me they had stopped sending out notices. I didn’t get any warning from the state. Didn’t see anything on TV.

“You came to expect those notices a few months before your sticker had to be renewed, and we live in a world where we all expect those kinds of notices, bills from utility companies and such, reminding us it’s time to pay. And this state just stopped it. And then they told me because I was more than 30 days past due in renewing my sticker, I had to pay a $20 late fee.”

Shortly after talking to Fields, I traveled to the secretary of state’s station in Orland Park and quickly ran into a bunch of vehicle owners who were first finding out that the renewal notices stopped going out in September, that their plate stickers had expired and they owed a $20 late fee.

An employee at the Orland Park office estimated that about every other customer coming in to renew their vehicle sticker was being dinged with the late fee, and almost all said they had no idea that the secretary of state had stopped sending out the notices. […]

Jennifer Valauskas, of Orland Park, had just paid a $20 late fee on her license plate sticker when she stopped to talk to me.

“I think it’s really unfair because I never got the renewal notice,” she said. “This is ridiculous. How many people is this happening to? Where is all the money going that they’re collecting from these late fees? It’s just ridiculous that our politicians screw things up, and we’re the ones who have to pay for it. They aren’t even paying the state’s bills.”

* The Question: Should the secretary of state’s office waive the late fee until the impasse is resolved? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

surveys

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:40 pm

Comments

Maybe a well-publicized class action suit against the SOS will for negligence in carrying out a statutory responsibility will help…..

Comment by Joe Schmoe Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:42 pm
Voted yes but for this year only. You can log into the SOS website (Cyberdrive) and sign up for email notices. The State can save a lot of money by using this opportunity to convert to electronic notice only.

Comment by Stones Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Hey - it is Jesse.
Jesse will make it right.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:44 pm
===carrying out a statutory responsibility ===

To remind people?

Is that really in statute?

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:45 pm
Whoops. Just discovered I’m expired. Voted Yes. At least the insurance company sends me a bill to remind me they need money.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:45 pm
I struggle to find sympathy for people being late on these renewals. You go the same time every year, and the date of expiration is clear not only on your title but also on the sticker on your plate.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:46 pm
So when is the Governor going to issue the press release blaming the $20 on Madigan?

Comment by Mouthy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:46 pm
No, gotta pay the light bill somehow.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:46 pm
The fine should be waived until the budget issue is resolved.

The problem with signing up for email notices is they require the registration ID and PIN, which you typically get on the mail notice. Other than a bulletin on the front page of the site, all other references still refer to “the renewal notice you received in the mail.”

Comment by Fine Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:47 pm
==is the Governor going to issue the press release blaming the $20 on Madigan?==

Last I checked, this is Jesse White’s responsibility

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:48 pm
I voted no. I think that too many people will just ignore getting a sticker otherwise.

Comment by Joe M Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Nothing in Vehicle code that mandates SOS send renewal reminders. Was always done as a courtesy. Good luck with a “class action suit”.

Comment by nyny Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:53 pm
voted no-it has been all over the news. I find it ironic the hue and cry of no reminders, yet there are those who complain about the nanny state. At some point in our lives we must take some responsibility.

Comment by Cable Line Beer Gardener Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:54 pm
No. The state should send notices, but ultimately its your own responsibility to pay on time.

Also, it would be interesting to see how many more tickets local police are writing for expired plates.

Comment by Century Club Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:56 pm
I’m more worried about if my Illinois drivers license will still be accepted at airports in the near future. The Governor needs to get on that.

Comment by Joe M Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 1:57 pm
Couldn’t bring myself to feel sympathy for anyone that is totally unaware of the expiration date on their plate sticker. All you have to do is look at the rear end of your car once in a while. Then, if that doesn’t work, look in the glove box and mark your calendar when it is due on your registration for plates. It doesn’t take much effort to do this. If anyone reads the paper or watches the news on TV, they would have seen the story from White’s office a long time ago. If it indeed saves thousands of dollars not to send the notices out in the mail, it sure is worth it during these times of financial strife. At least until Rauner is finished Fixin’ the mess in Springfield.

Comment by Big Joe Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:01 pm
Yikes.

Voted “No”

It’s no different than any bill you have to pay, your late your late, I guess.

It would be a curtesy if it was waved, but…

I’d like to see it waved, sure. But…

I voted “No”, but if I “could”, the PR of waving it would be hot…

Great question today

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:01 pm
No, save the money from not mailing. Can’t anyone be responsible for their action or in action?

Comment by Hickory Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:02 pm
I voted No. That would require a rule change, which would take six months or more, or a statutory change, and they should just pass the budget.

Folks upset about the $20 fee should call Jim Durkin.

Comment by Juvenal Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:07 pm
Yes, the late fee should be waived. The process has been…you receive the renewal notice from the SOS which prompts the car owner to renew. That process changed without any official notice from the state. Without receiving notice, I think it is unreasonable to expect car owner’s to know that things have changed.

I know about it because I read this blog and because my state rep. sent an email that prompted me to sign up for email notices from the SOS. Most residents don’t have this same information.

Going forward, if the state decides to stop mailing renewals- great- as long as everyone understands what the new process is. Once that occurs, they can reinstate late penalties.

Comment by Former Hoosier Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:07 pm
The $20 late fee is deposited into the GRF.

Comment by Danray Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:08 pm
No. There are consequences to not having your head in the game.

Comment by cdog Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:09 pm
I voted yes. The state should not profit over the impasse.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:10 pm
Voted yes.
Still a number of hard-working, tax-paying citizens of this state that rely on the mail and the information it delivers to them.
Is it really that much to ask of our government for a simple yearly reminder that our tags are due?
Raise the fine for late renewals after notices have been sent.
Not sending, what I consider a courtesy, a reminder that one’s license is about to expire, then charging a fine when they do is another disconnect that people feel from their government.
Now, let’s all scratch our heads wondering why people have the opinion of politicans that they do.

Comment by efudd Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:11 pm
I voted yes because you can’t just change your operating procedures without telling anyone. We depend on knowing how any system operates. When the rules of the game change, everyone should know.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:15 pm
No. It’s not that hard to look at the sticker on your vehicle and see when it expires. Additionally, I wonder if this might be one of those instances where the public learns the hard way that elections have consequences, and if so, that’s not a bad thing.

Comment by The Muse Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:16 pm
No. You should be responsible enough to know when your sticker expires. I think the outrage here is ludicrous. It’s not the state’s fault you can’t keep track of your own things. I managed to look at my license plate and know that my sticker was expiring.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:16 pm
Not to impugn anyone’s opinion, but for those who compare this to not paying a light, water, or gas bill, please.
Those are monthly expenses, the license is annual.
A weak comparison at best.

Comment by efudd Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:16 pm
This is no different from any other bill? Any other bill they send you a bill or email notice. So this IS different because you’re not actually billed. Is it the invisible bill? NOBODY does that.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:16 pm
Your sticker, your responsibility to renew whether you receive a reminder or not.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:17 pm
I voted yes, mainly because this is the first time they didn’t send out notices. However, I got an e-mail notice, two of them, a month apart, because I have been renewing online. (Great job Jessie!).

I believe that if money is finally restored, that all notices should be done on-line. Saves a lot of money.

Comment by Rufus Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:18 pm
==I’m more worried about if my Illinois drivers license will still be accepted at airports in the near future. The Governor needs to get on that.==

The Governor doesn’t oversee drivers licenses

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:18 pm
No - pay your bill on time. As others have said, you see if on your car every day in a bright square. Plus you can sign up online and get notices. It’s called personal responsibility.

And the guy quoted who said he’s never heard anything on tv, etc must have his head in the sand. It was all over tv, radio, internet, twitter, FB, etc,

Comment by 4 percent Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:19 pm
Voted no. In many ways, the reason both sides feel they can prolong this budget debacle is the average citizen is not feeling the impact. $20, while not exactly a major impact on most, serves as a simple reminder as to how dysfunctional Springfield has become.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:19 pm
You could just as well say it is my responsibility to go outside and read my meter and send a check to the electric company. I used the electricity and I should pay it, whether I’m billed or not.

Comment by NoGifts Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:20 pm
I voted “no”. I think that anything that can make the Illinois state government look bad for not passing a budget is a good thing. I wish it was $100 and then maybe the pressure would be so great that they’d have to pass a budget.

Keep soaking the average voter and social services might have a chance.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:22 pm
I voted no. The person should pay attention to this without needing a reminder. Secondly the public needs to listen to the news, or read a news paper. This was covered when the decision was made. This may force people to wake up and start paying attention to what is happening in Springfield.

Comment by illinifan Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Hell no. This will solve itself. People will sign up for email, be more attentive, or put a string on their finger. Some change is just inconvenient and stings a little. There’s a percentage of this crowd that would’ve been late anyway. Like always. The rest will adjust.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:25 pm
Guess what they are not sending out reminders when your drivers license needs to be renewed either

Comment by Strobby Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Voted No. Maybe this will be enough for people to call the Gov. and their legislators to say “WTH!”.

“Hang in there Bruce!” doesn’t wash when it hits your pocketbook.

Comment by Jocko Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:31 pm
No. Unlike most who’ve be touting the keep track of your stuff mantra, I don’t buy it. People have an expectation that they’ll receive notices and bills. I’ve seen some people I consider to be very responsible mention being saved after reading about it in Cap Fax.

My vote is yes because it’s one of the few pressure points left to put pressure on the folks. Consider it a Rauner stick it to the unions surcharge.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:32 pm
Norse….your sticker is due. lol.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:37 pm
No. The late fee isn’t contingent upon receiving a notice. The late for is…for being late. Be responsible and know when your plate is expired.

I paid a $75 “Roadside Notification Fee” by a very nice state trooper several years ago for running on expired tags. I’ve never been late again.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:38 pm
I am reminded of the number of people who park on a snow route and get their cars towed in Chicago on Dec 1. Every year.

Comment by a drop in Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:40 pm
==The Governor doesn’t oversee drivers licenses ==

But the Governor will probably have to sign legislation to spend money to fix the problem — unless he wants to hold that hostage to his anti-union agenda also. Missouri is in the same boat. At least their Governor is talking about it.

“Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said Wednesday that he’s hopeful state lawmakers will “have a reasonable discussion” about changing the state’s law to comply, St. Louis Public Radio reports. Changes in Illinois also require legislative action, but at a cost of up to $60 million, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office said.”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:41 pm
Just renewed my registration, got my reminder including registration ID and PIN by email. Ordered my sticker and got in about five days. Log on to the SOS website and sign up

Comment by Pacman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:41 pm
Yes, because NoGifts @ 2:16. As far as “pay attention to the news” is concerned, that’s unreasonable too … Can everyone tell you the Illini’s record? What about how many points Derek Rose scored? Who’s in the NFL play-offs? If people just paid attention to the news, they’d know, right?

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:42 pm
I voted yes cuz don’t want to give state any extra benefit from Brucie’s non-governing.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:45 pm
I voted no, even after I got a ticket and paid the late fee. It was my own fault, so why cry about it. Shut up and pay the fee. Illinois needs the money.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:45 pm
no

fyi i sogned up for email notices and those come put like clockwork. no postsge or mail needed. mine starts 60days out and i get a second 30 days out

Comment by Ghost Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:46 pm
I voted yes - unless people opt in to another form of notification, they should not be penalized for being late with no notice.

By the way, the confirmation email from signing up for email notification from SOS includes this nugget:

“Your license plate email renewal notification from the Secretary of State’s Office may take one renewal cycle before it is in effect.”

Oh, snap.

Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Skeptic- if any of those sports things you mentioned cost me money, then I would make sure I knew them. You surely know when to pay your income tax even though the IRS no longer mails forms once you use a tax preparer?

Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:51 pm
If anyone should be dialed in to electronic notification it should be the commenters on this site. As I have seen written before “go to the google” and look up Illinois SOS. Go to the site and sign up. Problem solved. It’s all about personal responsibility and isn’t there something about ignorance of the law is not an excuse?

Comment by Pacman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:53 pm
Yes. The SoS should have sent a letter or postcard warning they were going paperless and offering the email alternative instead. They still send thank you letters for organ donations.

Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:55 pm
For anyone suggesting nobody is receiving notice that their tags are going to expire: everyone receives notice right there when they receive the tags of when they’re going to expire. It’s right there on the tag, and on the paper you peel the tag off of. A courtesy reminder is just that: a courtesy. Not a requirement. Be responsible for a change, or pay the price.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Voted No, ultimately it’s your responsibility. If the question involved a 30 day grace period, I’d support that, given that people are accustomed to receiving notices.

Comment by AC Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:02 pm
A guy, there may be a myriad of other things due, but the renewal is not one of them. I was lucky in that my renewal is at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:03 pm
I voted that the late fee should not be waved. At some point, the pain should be spread in a way that is: 1) instantly noticeable and 2) directly tied to the budget impasse. The insanity (apparently) needs more social pressure to solve and I can think of few things that would irk people more, affect virtually everyone above 16 who is not incapacitated, and yet be something small enough that paying the extra money would not be devastating. (In other words, this kind of shared pain, even while harder on the working poor than Rauner, is different than making some groups bear excessive pain — small businesses, poor, children etc.)

Comment by Another prof Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Voted Yes.

Would be nice if Bruce had submitted his Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget.

Guess this was one of the ways he was gonna “Shake Up Springfield”.

Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Ultimately, everyone has to be responsible for their own stuff. With that said, however, I can’t think of one other debt in life that doesn’t come with some sort of notice from the party owed the money, especially an annual thing. Everyone be honest, what if your cell phone provider, Internet provider, gas company, electric company, water/sewer provider, insurance, etc. did this? I bet you’d be late quite often.

Comment by Moby Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:07 pm
They should send everyone a letter explains that they do not have money to send letters telling people to renew

Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:12 pm
=== The Governor doesn’t oversee drivers licenses ===

No, but Rauner is holding the budget hostage, which contains the money to pay for the renewal notice postage.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:12 pm
Voted No. We aren’t little kids. Grow up. You do this EVER YEAR (renew your sticker). I can’t believe the people who complain with a straight face they are being shanizzled by the State.

Comment by Westward Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:14 pm
They save almost a half a million a month by not sending the renewal notices. Waiving the fee sounds like a fair trade-off.

Comment by SAP Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:22 pm
==The SoS should have sent a letter or postcard warning they were going paperless and offering the email alternative instead.== You do understand that they stopped mailing notices because they couldn’t afford the postage to, you know, mail notices to people, right?

Comment by SAP Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:26 pm
=== The problem with signing up for email notices is they require the registration ID and PIN, which you typically get on the mail notice. Other than a bulletin on the front page of the site, all other references still refer to “the renewal notice you received in the mail.” ===

Yes, I gave up real fast too.

=== find it ironic the hue and cry of no reminders, yet there are those who complain about the nanny state. At some point in our lives we must take some responsibility. ===

Really? A reminder is your version of a nanny state. Especially when this is a change in policy.

=== I voted no. I think that too many people will just ignore getting a sticker otherwise. ===

They would still risk tickets from the cops.

=== You could just as well say it is my responsibility to go outside and read my meter and send a check to the electric company. I used the electricity and I should pay it, whether I’m billed or not. ===

Excellent point.

Comment by Just Observing Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:45 pm
NO. The impasse does not end until lots of people start to be impacted.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:50 pm
“NO. The impasse does not end until lots of people start to be impacted.”

I definitely agree with this. The more people feel the pain of the economic stagnation of the state and the demographic implosion caused by our tax and spenders, the sooner we may actually do something about it.

Comment by Tone Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:39 pm