City of Highland Park, IL Eliminates Vehicle Sticker Sales and Enforcement
On Monday, April 27, 2020 the Highland Park City Council approved the elimination of vehicle sticker sales and enforcement and all associated fees and penalties effective immediately. The City Council approved an ordinance which repealed Chapter 74 of the City Code. The measure is intended to provide relief to all residents and business owners in light of the economic impact of COVID-19. The action also provides operational efficiencies for the City.
For 2019-2020, the cost per passenger vehicle sticker was $55. Motor vehicle stickers not purchased by October 1 were subject to a late penalty fee of $10, which has also been eliminated. The City will not reimburse residents and businesses for already purchased stickers.
Vehicle stickers have been used for identification of resident vehicles. Vehicle stickers double as parking permits for beach access in Highland Park. If beaches are reopened following the COVID-19 public health concerns, 2020 parking stickers will remain valid for the summer 2020 season. The Park District of Highland Park will explore ways to validate residency for beach access in the 2021 season. The Highland Park Police Department will continue to enforce parking restrictions.
The City’s approved fiscal year 2020 budget anticipates $1.1 million in annual revenue from the sale of motor vehicle stickers, which in turn assists the City in providing necessary street maintenance projects and repairs. The preliminary proposed budget for fiscal year 2021 replaces lost revenues with a comparable property tax increase resulting in a net zero impact to the City. The City estimates that the financial impact for an average $500,000 household would equal approximately $82.50, which represents an overall decrease of $27.50 for households with two passenger cars. Further updates regarding the fiscal year 2021 budgeting process will be presented to the City Council at upcoming public workshops in the summer and fall.
The Council's action follows earlier measures to provide economic relief to residents, including the temporary suspension of sales and citations for parking permits, dog licenses, and vehicle and motorcycle stickers. In March, the City also suspended late fees and penalties for water bills, business taxes (Food & Beverage, Packaged Liquor, and Motor Fuel), and parking tickets. Additionally, at its April 6, 2020 meeting, City Council approved financial relief for commercial tenants in City-owned buildings, joining several property owners in assisting small businesses with rent abatement and encouraging other landlords to do the same.
For questions, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847-926-1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com.