New Law to Reduce DMV Visits with 4-and 8-Year License Options
Illinois drivers will soon have the option to choose between a four-year or eight-year driver’s license, thanks to new legislation recently signed into law. I was a proud supporter of this bill.
Senate Bill 275 requires the Secretary of State to establish rules for this process by January 1, 2027, with the new options available to motorists by July 1 of that year.
This change aims to reduce the frequency of visits to the DMV, offering convenience to drivers and aligning Illinois with other states that already offer longer license validity periods. The cost for an eight-year license will be $60, double the cost of a four-year license.
This new law is expected to ease the challenges motorists face when scheduling appointments at driver services facilities, providing greater flexibility and reducing wait times.
District 32 Outreach Events Continue into the Fall
Our events calendar is filled with a variety of events. Please mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
- September 11, Medicare 101: Nippersink Public Library, 5418 Hill Rd, Richmond, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 19, Barks & Brews: In cooperation with K9s4U at Kishwaukee Brewing Company, 1900 Dillard Court, Woodstock, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- September 25, Conversations Untapped: Richmond Brathaus, 10310 North Main Street, Richmond, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- October 2, Conversations Untapped: The Grove Pub and Grill, 2008 Main Street Road, Spring Grove, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- October 15, Senior Health Fair: Crystal Lake Park District Grand Oaks Building, 1401 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
You can visit the Events page on my website to learn more about these events.
New Law Signed to Increase Transparency in Local Government
Another measure I supported this year was recently signed into law to enhance transparency and public access to information regarding proposed tax levy changes by local governments.
Senate Bill 3567 amends Illinois’ Truth in Taxation law to require taxing bodies to prominently display notices on or near the top of their websites for a minimum of 30 days. Under the existing Truth in Taxation law, taxing bodies are required to publicly disclose their intention to raise their tax levy by more than 5 %. The new law will require online visibility in addition to the current mandate that these notices be published in local newspapers.
The dual approach is designed to maximize the reach and effectiveness of public disclosures, providing residents with multiple opportunities to stay informed about potential increases in their property taxes.
Small Businesses Losing Money as Revised Unemployment Numbers Underscore Challenging Economy for Illinois Families
The U.S. economy is showing signs of strain, with new data revealing fewer jobs added in 2023 and early 2024 than originally reported. The U.S. Department of Labor’s revisions cut job growth estimates by 28 percent, while at the same time, July numbers show Illinois is now tied for the second-highest unemployment in the nation. Meanwhile, small businesses in the state are struggling more than ever, with many making less money than last year, as new tax hikes present additional challenges.
Recent data shows that job growth across the country hasn’t been as strong as initially reported. The U.S. Department of Labor released revised job numbers on August 21, revealing that around 818,000 fewer jobs were created during the past year than originally thought. The revised numbers are a sign that fault lines in the labor market are deeper, and began shifting earlier, than previously known.
In Illinois, the situation is particularly difficult. The unemployment rate jumped to 5.2 percent in July, tying for the second-worst in the country. This means more than 341,000 people in Illinois are looking for work.
Job creators in Illinois are also feeling the pressure. A recent survey by Alignable found that 58 percent of small businesses are making less money than they did last year—a 7 percent increase from the previous month. To make matters worse, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker just signed nearly $1 billion in new tax hikes into law.
Across the country, 73 percent of small business owners say they’re earning less than they did last year. Over 80 percent of these small businesses in industries like manufacturing, beauty salons, and real estate are seeing big drops in revenue, making it a challenging time for job creators everywhere.
This economic landscape paints a challenging picture for Illinois families. As the job market falters and new taxes take their toll, many families are finding it harder to make ends meet. The latest data is a stark reminder that the economy remains fragile, leaving many in Illinois uncertain about what the future holds.
I voted against the Governor’s recent tax hikes, warning they will hamper job growth and raise costs for Illinois residents. I believe these tax hikes are driving more people and job creators to leave the state.