No More Vehicle Fees? Clarendon Hills Considering It

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Clarendon Hills is considering doing away with vehicle sticker fees, which the village acknowledges is a hassle for residents.

According to a village memo earlier this month, the fee raises $180,000 a year. But it costs $20,000 to administer it, so the net income is $160,000, the village said.

Compliance with the fee fluctuates from year to year, ranging from 50 percent to 70 percent, Village Manager Zach Creer said in the memo.

"Compliance is far lower than most taxes (which are very close to 100% compliance), which creates an 'unfair' playing field as honest residents are penalized," Creer said.

Also, the fee causes a "huge service wave" for staff at Village Hall and the police station, Creer said. And it creates a hassle for residents to fill out the required paperwork, he said.

"Staff believes it could be replaced by taxes that are easier to administer and more fairly distributed," Creer said in the memo.

One drawback for axing the fee, he said, is the program provides a database of contacts for the police department.

It also gives an opportunity to register residents for the village's emergency texting system and email news blasts, Creer said.

The Village Board is expected to discuss the issue Monday.