Online sticker renewals coming to Des Plaines

Des Plaines residents hoping to renew their city vehicle or pet licenses may not have to put a check in the mail or travel down to city hall anymore. For those connected to the Internet, license renewals may only be a few clicks away.

As soon as May 1, the city is planning to make online license renewals available at desplaines.org. Officials say residents will be able to type in their plate and vehicle ID numbers, or pet tags, provide a credit-card number, then receive their new licenses in the mail within a week.

The city council this week endorsed a three-year contract with Third Millennium Associates, which would provide the online payment service on the city's behalf. Fifth Ward Alderman Jim Brookman asked that the city staff negotiate terms that would allow the city to get out of the agreement early, should aldermen decide to end the vehicle sticker program altogether.

Total costs of the online program are expected to be $41,000 the first year and $37,000 the second year.