DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) is reminding Illinois drivers they will now have an additional three months to renew their licenses.

“Throughout the pandemic, our local secretary of state offices have prioritized the health and safety of its workers and our community,” Murphy said. “By extending the deadline, we are giving everyone a fair chance to get their licenses renewed on time without waiting in line for hours.”

Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced Friday that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards has been extended an additional three months to March 31, 2022. However, the new expiration date does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses. The extension comes as secretary of state offices across Illinois continue to get caught up following COVID-19-related closures to their daily operations.

To cut down on long lines and wait times, Murphy encourages people to take advantage of the secretary of state’s online services at ilsos.gov. These services include:

• Renewing a vehicle registration;
• Applying for a vehicle title and registration;
• Obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card;
• Obtaining a driving record abstract;
• Renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program.

“Taking advantage of online services makes the process easier for you while reducing long lines for others,” Murphy said. 

Murphy is also reminding residents the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023. Current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports, military bases and secure federal facilities.

For more information and to take advantage of online services, including license plate renewal, people can visit ilsos.gov.

SCHAUMBURG – More than $175,000 in upgrades will be made at Schaumburg Regional Airport thanks to Senator Laura Murphy’s support of the Rebuild Illinois capital grant program.

“As people begin to regularly travel again, it is important our local airports are prepared for the uptick in flights,” said Murphy (D-Des Plaines). “The Schaumburg Airport is a staple of our community – providing dozens of jobs and an efficient way to support residents and the business community.” 

Approximately $105,000 will be used for fuel system installation at Schaumburg Airport and $70,000 for security gate modifications. The money granted is part of a $94 million funding project to revitalize both large and small airports across the country.

Senator Murphy was proud to support the Rebuild Illinois capital program in 2019, which created a six-year plan to update the state’s aging transportation system, create jobs and promote economic growth. The money allocated to Schaumburg Regional Airport came from the bipartisan, multi-regional plan.

“Investments made to our airports are investments made to our communities,” Murphy said. “The grants allow smaller airports in our state to make much-needed repairs, modernize their facilities and better meet the community needs.”

The Illinois aviation system is one of the largest in the nation, made up of more than 850 individual landing facilities. Illinois is home to everything from O’Hare International Airport to municipal airports and private grass strips, contributing more than $95 billion annually to the state’s economy.

A full list of recipients can be viewed by visiting https://idot.click/rbi-airport-program-awards.

CHICAGO – Concerned about the ethics and transparency of recent moves made by top leaders of the Illinois Tollway, State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) called a hearing Tuesday to push for answers regarding the sudden change in the quasi-governmental agency’s chain of command.

“We must ensure that we are providing the most transparent process by effectively and efficiently operating the tollway,” Murphy said. “This is significant to the consumers of the tollway.”

The hearing comes just weeks after the Illinois Tollway board voted to restructure the Tollway’s executive staff. The move gave the part-time board chair – Will Evans – additional, direct oversight of some agency departments that had previously fallen under the Tollway’s executive director. 

In the days following the October vote – which was conducted in just over a minute – many board members began to question the magnitude of their vote.

During Tuesday’s Senate Transportation Subject Matter Hearing, Murphy asked Evans questions to get to the bottom of the lack of transparency in the change and push for responsible stewardship of tax dollars spent at the agency.

Following nearly two hours of questioning, Murphy was left disappointed in the lack of clarity the committee received for Evans.

“If the very people who work for the Tollway and voted for the change are confused, what signal is that sending to the millions of consumers of the Tollway and its taxpayers?” Murphy said. “The Illinois Tollway receives hundreds of millions of dollars each year – people deserve to know their money is being spent in an efficient and appropriate way. I expected more from Mr. Evans.”

Murphy will continue to work with her Senate colleagues to establish a plan that outlines clear lines of communication at the Tollway.

DES PLAINES – State Senator Laura Murphy (D-Des Plaines) held a virtual webinar to help local residents better understand how their assessed values are determined and to have their property tax questions answered.

“When people are struggling to understand the reason behind their home assessments or property taxes, they should know there are people ready to help,” Murphy said. “Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi is one of those people, and I thank him and his staff for providing invaluable information during the webinar.”

The free event, which brought in more than a dozen participants, was broadcast live online, but people who missed it or may have forgotten to jot certain information down can access a recording. Residents can view the video by visiting https://bit.ly/3HsvpoK and using the password 6P&@z*Jn.  

Murphy was joined by Kaegi and his staff to teach residents more about how their assessed values are determined, what goes into determining the assessed value, and how that factors into  their property tax bill. Residents were also able to ask questions, and the group discussed topics that included what the multiplier is and why it’s necessary, as well as why taxes increase even during periods of downturn in the real estate market.

“We want the determination of assessed value and property taxes to be an easy-to-understand and transparent process,” Murphy said. “I am hopeful residents were able to learn something new or get clarification during Tuesday’s event.”

People who still have questions can contact Murphy’s office at 847-718-1110.