Rockford's west side DMV to close for good

"I couldn't believe it, said Maralee Williams who uses the DMV.  "I've been coming here since I was 16-years-old."

The only DMV on Rockford's west side will be closed a little more than a week, and those who use that facility will be forced to travel across town for services.

"We're displacing people in Pecatonica, Winnebago, Davis Junction and surrounding areas that utilize the facility," said State Representative Chuck Jefferson.

Jefferson, along with Rockford aldermen, Mayor Larry Morrissey, and other local leaders spent over an hour on a phone conference with Secretary of State Jesse White on Wednesday.  Their hope, to not leave west side residents without a needed facility.

"It's obvious that our services and our needs are not being met," said Rockford alderman Ann Thompson-Kelly.

The Secretary of State's office apologized for not keeping local leaders in the loop with closing down that facility.  But a spokesperson says low funds, as well as lack of corporation from the current building owner has forced them to close the DMV down.

"Historically, we've had some problems there at that facility and negotiations broke down with the landlord," said press secretary for Jesse White Dave Druker.

But people who use that DMV say they need a facility to remain on the west side.

"It's a total outrage," said Rockford resident Pearl Creed.  "The people over here really need it."

That's why Jesse White's office says they'll continue to work with local leaders to create a satellite facility.

"We are very much committed to the people of Rockford, and Winnebago County, and the west side there," said Druker.  "We're going to be working with the mayor's office."

But where it will go and who will pay for it, is yet to be determined.

"Our hands are quite tied on this," said Druker.  "But you know, hopefully with different agencies involved, hopefully something can be worked out."

"This, to me, is not servicing the people that count on you for those services," said Jefferson.

The state is opening a new DMV near Baxter Road and I-39, main reason for that location, according the Secretary of State's office, is it will service CDL drivers and access to a major interstate will make it easier for truck drivers.