With no state budget in place, Illinoisans are being called upon to take more responsibility for renewal of their license plates. The Secretary of State’s Office has announced suspension of its mailed license plate renewal program, savings nearly $450,000 a month in postage money. But motorists can still receive a reminder notice via email through https://www.ilsos.gov/greenmail/ . The registration ID and PIN from the vehicle registration form are necessary to sign up, but motorists who don’t have those materials handy can find them by calling the Public Inquiry Division at 800-252-8980.
With the state entering the fourth consecutive month of the fiscal year without a budget, state spending is largely controlled by court orders, consent decrees, and some continuing appropriations. Recent estimates show that without a balanced budget agreement, the state will likely run out of money early in 2016.
The impact is being felt on some areas of state government, including closing the Illinois State Museum in Springfield (along with satellite facilities in four other locations) and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta to the public. However, scientific research at the museum facilities will continue, collections will be maintained by curators and educators will focus on future programmatic planning. Other museum employees will assume temporary roles in other capacities, while at the Sparta complex workers will begin readying the facility for the winter months. Public employee unions are suing to avoid layoffs at the facilities.
Senate Republican lawmakers continue to push for a resolution to the impasse that includes structural reforms intended to make Illinois competitive, create jobs and boost economic growth, while funding priority services and programs.