Illinois Trucking Association Commends Governor and Lawmakers on Capital Bill and CDF Repeal on Trucks

 

[June 05, 2019] 

The Illinois Trucking Association (ITA) is pleased that lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement to invest in the state’s highways & bridges, while also reducing fees on the trucking industry.

The newly passed Capital Bill repeals a hidden sales tax on truck license plates known as the Commercial Distribution Fee, or CDF. The CDF adds as much as $400 to the cost of a semi-truck license plate, all of which was swept into the General Revenue Fund.

“The Illinois Trucking Association is pleased that Governor Pritzker and legislative leaders in the House and Senate chose to Repeal the Commercial Distribution Fee that has plagued the trucking industry in Illinois since its inception in 2004,” ITA Executive Director Matt Hart said. “By repealing the CDF, Illinois has actually lowered fees on truck license plates, opening the door and inviting trucking companies to locate their company in the state.”

A license plate for a semi-truck costs $3,190, with $2,790 in actual license plate fees and $400 in the Commercial Distribution Fee which is swept into the General Revenue Fund. With the passage of the Capital Bill, once the CDF is repealed in 2020, the cost of a semi-truck license plate will be $2,890, an overall savings of $300 or 9.4%.

Hart adds, “The trucking industry employs 300,000 men and women in the state of Illinois, providing high quality jobs for Illinois families. The ITA applauds Governor Pritzker as well as Speaker Madigan, President Cullerton, and Leaders Brady & Durkin for their support to repeal the CDF. In addition, ITA supports all legislators that voted to invest in the state’s transportation network. Illinois is a leader in trucking and a leader in transportation. We must continue to invest in our roads and bridges with efficient, sustainable revenues to keep our highways safe and to provide economic opportunity to everyone in the state.”

Last year, the Commercial Distribution Fee cost the trucking industry $46.7-million, according to figures from the State Comptroller. Since its inception in FY 2004, the CDF has cost the trucking industry nearly $1 Billion.

Illinois Trucking Association is a non-profit, full service trade association led by trucking companies to promote and protect the interests of the trucking industry in Illinois. ITA is the only American Trucking Association affiliate in Illinois and has offices in Springfield and Willowbrook, Illinois.

[Ryan Keith, RK PR Solutions]