Soldiers could get break on vehicle fees

By Kenneth Lowe | Friday, May 09, 2008

SPRINGFIELD — Soldiers stationed overseas may soon get a break on their vehicle registration fees if a proposal that passed the Illinois House Wednesday makes it into law.

Sponsored by state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, the measure would cut in half the fee for vehicle registration for members of the military who were on active duty overseas the previous year for more than 90 days.

The measure would bring down the fee for a car from $78 to $39.

The reduction would first take effect in 2010. In addition, the measure provides for a credit to be applied toward a soldier’s next registration fee if they kept their vehicle in storage for more than six months while away.

A spokeswoman for the secretary of state’s office said there are not yet concrete numbers on how many veterans might take advantage of the fee reduction, or how much money the state would forego.

— Kenneth Lowe