Niles residents will soon be charged higher fees for failing to obtain vehicle stickers and register their vehicles by the June 30 deadline, according to an ordinance the Village Board passed May 23.
Vehicle owners have until June 30 to register their cars for $50 and place the registration sticker on their windshields, per a village press release. After July 31, late fees, in addition to the regular fee, kick in.
Under the change approved earlier this week, the village will begin charging residents who don’t make the deadline a $25 late fee for passenger cars, motorbikes and scooters, and a $50 late fee for other vehicles, registered between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31.
On Sept. 1, late fees go up to $50 for owners registering their passenger cars, motorbikes and scooters, and $100 for other vehicles.
The village charges $50 for an on-time car vehicle sticker, and other rates for other types of vehicles. So, a resident who registers a car by Aug. 1-31 would pay a total of $75, and a resident who registers a car Sept. 1 or later would pay a total of $100.
The village levies a $60 fee to register trucks under 8,000 pounds and $120 for trucks over 8,000 pounds.
Village spokesperson Mitch Johnson told Pioneer Press the village has not charged late registration fees in recent memory.
Johnson said Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office is now issuing a list of all vehicles registered at Niles addresses to the village, which he said would help the village enforce registration rules.
“The Village will now mail a vehicle sticker application for every vehicle registered with the State, and can follow up after the initial sale period if they have not purchased a sticker,” Johnson said.
Residents can pay at vniles.com/OnlineBillPay without an additional fee starting June 1. Village hall will also be open two Saturdays, June 17 and 24, from 8:30 a.m. to noon to allow residents to pay in person.
Car and other vehicle registration fees add up to a significant chunk of revenue, according to the village.
“Last year alone, the Village lost approximately $500,000 in revenue from vehicle owners not purchasing vehicle stickers as required,” a press release states.
The ordinance also adds a new $65 registration fee for ambulances, trucks and limousines. Previously, ambulances and trucks cost $50 to register with the village, according to code.
The ordinance passed on the consent agenda, the portion of a public meeting when officials may approve items in bulk without discussion.
Vehicle stickers go on sale June 1 and are valid July 1 through June 30 of the next year, according to village information. The ordinance is effective immediately. Residents 62 and up are eligible for a senior discount, according to the village press release.
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