Evanston vehicle owners face a Sept. 30, 2026, deadline to pay the $90 annual wheel tax, and seniors and veterans who previously received automatic discounts will need to take extra steps this year or pay full price.
The city opened its online payment portal for the 2027 wheel tax on Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to Evanston Patch. The tax covers Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, and applies to all vehicles registered to an Evanston address through the Illinois Secretary of State.
Discount program changes
The biggest shift this cycle: the city changed how senior and military/veteran discounts work. Eligible residents must now apply for and purchase a specific "Senior Wheel Tax Permit" or "Military/Veteran Wheel Tax Permit" to receive a reduced rate, according to the city's official announcement.
Previously, discounts could carry over through standard renewals. That's no longer the case. Residents who simply renew their existing permit will be charged the full $90 rate. The discounts will not apply automatically, and the program is not eligible for autopay.
The city said eligible residents must actively apply to receive the reduced rate.
Only one discount applies per household. The senior rate cannot be purchased online, though the city's announcement lists online as a renewal option for existing senior permit holders. Seniors can also apply at Morton City Hall, by mail, or at participating community centers.
How to pay
The city encourages residents to pay through its free online portal at cityofevanston.org/wheeltax. Those who previously set up auto-renewal will have payments processed Sept. 23 and will receive an email notification.
Other options:
- By mail: Print an application at cityofevanston.org/wheeltax and send it with a copy of vehicle registration to the Customer Service Center at Morton City Hall, 909 Davis St. Checks should be made payable to "The City of Evanston." Completed applications can also go in the curbside drop box at 909 Davis St.
- In person: Pay at Morton City Hall or at five community centers: Robert Crown Community Center, Prieto Community Center, Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Evanston Ecology Center and Levy Senior Center. Bring vehicle registration showing an Evanston address and/or a renewal letter.
Preprinted renewal notices have already begun mailing.
No more stickers
The city no longer issues physical wheel tax stickers. Compliance is checked through License Plate Recognition technology, which stores the plates of all vehicles registered to Evanston addresses. Failure to pay can result in parking tickets.
Residents can call or text 847-448-4311 (or dial 311 within Evanston) for information about rates for other vehicle types.
