2004 Year in Review

Tax hike drives out truckers

The Mid-West Truckers Association has released new figures showing truck registrations in Illinois are dramatically down this year. Truck registrations have dropped by 16,852 in the past year, while there are now 2,718 fewer registered trucking companies in Illinois due to the loss of the exemption and increase in registration fees.

This has occurred at the same time that new truck registrations have seen significant increases in truck registrations. The Truckers Association estimates that in addition to the drop in renewals, another 8,000 new truck registrations were lost in Illinois because companies chose not to place new trucks into service.

House Bill 412, the repeal of the rolling stock exemption, is still bottled in the Democrat-controlled Senate Rules committee. Senate Republican lawmakers are working to pass this important bill that will keep trucking industry jobs in Illinois. The Caucus continues to put pressure on Democrat lawmakers to pass House Bill 412 and save Illinois jobs.

Earlier this spring, Senate Republicans circulated petitions to the trucking industry urging repeal of the new truck taxes. If you have signed petitions, it is very important that we receive those petitions as soon as possible. The Caucus plans to submit petitions to the Rules Committee and the Senate President in support of House Bill 412. Completed petitions can be faxed to 217-782-7818 or mailed to Senate Republican Caucus, 309 State House, Springfield, IL 62706.

To sign a petition or circulate one in your community, go to www.senategop.state.il.us/www/fees/truckfees.htm.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
May 5, 2004