2019/12/23 - Mayor's Column: New Year, New Laws
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
Every year, when the clock strikes midnight, several new state laws go into effect. While the new law that makes recreational marijuana legal on January 1st has been getting the most attention, there are more than 250 new state laws and taxes that kick in with the new year.
The start of 2020 will bring higher costs for drivers, with a new tax on parking and higher license plate fees, along with bigger paychecks for minimum wage workers. Here is a list of some of the new laws and policies that start on January 1, 2020.
Recreational Marijuana – The consumption and possession of marijuana for recreational use becomes legal on January 1. There are still restrictions on the amount a person can possess, and where it can be consumed.
Minimum Wage – The statewide minimum wage increases by $1, to $9.25 on January 1. It will be raised another $0.75 on July 1. It will continue to increase each January 1 until minimum wage reaches $15 per hour in 2025.
Parking Tax – If you are going to be paying to park in a parking garage or lot, there is a new tax (6% for daily, 9% for monthly). Parking lots and garages owned and operated by the state or local governments are exempt.
License Plate Fees – License plate fees are increasing by $50 to $151 annually, stating with the 2020 registration year.
Trade-in Vehicle Tax – Previously, the trade-in value of a vehicle was exempt from sales tax. But starting in 2020, the exemption will be capped at $10,000. So, if you traded in a $12,000 car toward a $20,000 purchase in 2019, you would have paid sales tax on the $8,000 difference. Starting in 2020, you’ll pay taxes on $10,000.
There are several new laws for the roads:
- The fine for passing a school bus with its stop sign extended doubles.
- Fines also are going up for drivers who fail to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles on the side of the road.
- The maximum penalty for drivers who don’t slow down or move over when entering a construction zone is increasing to $25,000 from $10,000.
- An increase in the penalties for using an electronic device while behind the wheel. The stricter penalties come on top of a law that took effect July 1 that makes using or even holding an electronic device while driving a moving violation. Three such offenses in a year result in a suspended license. Previously, drivers would receive a warning ticket for the first offense and any subsequent tickets were nonmoving violations.
There are many more new laws that will soon go into effect, but for the sake of time and space, they cannot all be included in this column.
Just a Few things that all of us should be proud of in our City for 2019:
- O’Fallon Ranked in the TOP 5% of Safest cities in Illinois
- City received the Exemplary Collaboration award Between Government and Business
- District 203 Named top Performing District in Southwestern Illinois
- O’Fallon ranked in Top 8% of most affordable Cities in the United States
- Fulton Middle School designated as one of the Top 10 % in the State
Next week’s column will include more of the accomplishments achieved by the City of O’Fallon over the past year and a look at what is in store for 2020. Have a HAPPY HOLIDAYS & an EXCELLENT NEW YEAR!
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!