Illinois late license plate fees growing without reminders

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois motorists paid nearly $2 million in March for failing to renew vehicle plates on time, showing the fines are growing at a significant rate since the cash-strapped state stopped mailing renewal reminders.

The latest numbers bring the total haul for the state this year to $4.9 million. By comparison, the state collected $2.2 million during the first three months of 2015.

The figures were provided Friday to The Associated Press by the Illinois Secretary of State's office. Officials there stopped mailing renewal reminders in October to save an estimated $450,000 a month on postage during the state's budget stalemate.

Fines for late-vehicle plate renewals are $20.

A pending bill would suspend the fines until reminders can be mailed again. The secretary of state's office says it supports the legislation.