August
14, 2009
To
the Honorable Members of the
Illinois House of Representatives,
96th
General Assembly
Today I veto House Bill 669. This legislation would
lower the registration fee for license plates for vehicles owned by municipal
fire departments or fire protection district fire chiefs from $78 to $8. Fire
Chiefs still pay $78 registration fee for vehicles they own personally.
Currently, mayors in Illinois pay $78 for
"mayor" license plates, regardless of whether or not the car is owned
by the municipality or personally by the mayor. Under this bill, fire
chiefs would pay $8 for cars that they use, provided that the car is owned by
the fire department, but $78 if they personally own the car.
On July 13th, 2009, I signed into law
bills that created the Illinois Jobs Now plan, a $31 Billion dollar
capital plan to rebuild our State’s aging infrastructure and help jump start
our economy. The plan is predicated, in part, on annual license and
registration fees assessed by the Secretary of State.
While I am sympathetic to those who serve the public
good in our local fire departments, I also recognize that only steady funding
mechanisms will ensure success in the Illinois Jobs Now plan.
For the reason above and in accordance with Article
IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution, I return House Bill 669 to the
House, where it originated, vetoed in its entirety.
Sincerely,
PAT
QUINN
Governor