Illinois Drivers Won't Receive Reminders for Vehicle Emissions Tests Due to State Budget Impasse

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it was forced to temporarily suspend the mailing of vehicle emissions test notices beginning in December

There’s more bad news for Illinois drivers: Due to the state budget impasse, Illinois will no longer notify you when you need to go in for a vehicle emissions test.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it was forced to temporarily suspend the mailing of vehicle emissions test notices beginning in December. Vehicle owners whose license plates expire at the end of March 2016 or later will not receive the vehicle emissions test notice.

Because of the change, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will temporarily allow license plate renewals for vehicle owners who have not yet taken the EPA emissions test, citing an unfair burden to drivers, the IEPA said in a release.

"Secretary of State White made the decision that even if people had not taken the EPA test, beginning March 1st, when they come to the DMV, they will be able to get their registration," said Dave Druker, a spokesman for White. "The mailing that EPA did was the only way people really knew when the test date was for them. Without that notification, people would potentially be coming to the Department of Motor Vehicles looking to renew and being told they couldn't renew."

The announcement comes after the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office said it would stop mailing out reminders for license plate sticker renewals.

According to the agency, vehicles likely needing testing in 2016 include most even model-year vehicles from 1996-2012. Diesel powered vehicles and vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are not required to test. 

To find out if your vehicle needs emissions testing, click here.

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