License renewal not good deal for drivers

With respect to Marni Pyke's article Monday, Jan. 4, I cannot decide if the state is just short sighted, or is this just another way to screw the citizens of Illinois.

The Secretary of State's office says "that by not sending renewal notices they save $450,000 a month," $900,000 so far. This is a good thing. However, with a total of 272,400 non-renewals for November and December, they have not collected $27,512,400 (at $101 per renewal). This is a bad thing. So the state is down $26,612,400 for November and December. If they had this money, perhaps they would not have to worry about closing facilities or paying utilities. Not a very good short term policy.

However, if everybody eventually buys a sticker, then the fees paid and not paid will come out even. But there is the little item of the $20 late fee. Those 272,400 late renewals will generate $5,448,000. This is new money. Now add that to the $900,000 saved and the stated is ahead $6,348,000. This is good for state. Now if you renew online, there is a $2.50 service charge, even more money for the state. And now the bonus, if you get a ticket from your local police for having an expired sticker, one could get a ticket worth $125.

So if you are late it could cost the citizen $248.50. This is not good!

Now the state cries poor, buts ends up with more money. The citizen pays more, gets less service (no reminder). The political machine is still working.

Tom Russell

Carpentersville