Carbondale Reporter

State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) is touting new legislation that reduces trailer license plate sticker renewal fees by well over half.

“For the last two years, thousands of Illinois motorists were forced to pay a significantly higher amount to renew their trailer license plate sticker,” Windhorst said in a post to Facebook. “There is good news coming in 2022, as the House and Senate approved a reduction in the fee from $118 down to $36.”

Windhorst credits the change to bipartisan cooperation.

“I’m hopeful this change will extend some relief to hard working Illinoisans at a time of increased inflation and motor fuel fees,” he posted. “The trailer license sticker fee reduction is one example of how the legislature can act to help working families when we cooperate in a bipartisan manner. I’m hopeful we can shift our attention to providing more relief in the coming new year as the legislature returns to work on January 4th.”

House Bill 5306 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to mandate as of Jan. 1, “the Secretary of State, at the option of the applicant, shall issue permanent registration plates for a one-time fee of $118 to the owner of a trailer having a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less.”

The measure also stipulates that an individual who has been issued a permanent trailer plate is not required to pay the annual flat weight tax and registration fee.