Lawmakers OK grace period for late license registration

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers have voted to require extra time for motorists to renew license plates if state officials don't notify them.

The House voted unanimously Thursday to require a 30-day grace period after expiration if a motorist was not notified of the impending deadline by mail. The Senate voted 59-0 on the legislation in May.

The long-running state budget stalemate created an unexpected windfall for state coffers. Secretary of State Jesse White stopped mailing notices of license expirations last fall to save $450,000 in monthly postage.

The state collected more than $9 million in fines on more than 475,000 late registrations - more than double the total a year earlier.

The legislation has not been sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner.

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The bill is HB4334.

Online: http://www.ilga.gov