Giannoulias plans to reestablish emissions testing in Chicago, starting with South Side mobile unit

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The state is making it more convenient again for city drivers to get their car emissions testing done.

It's rolling out a mobile testing site on the South Side, as part of a pilot program.

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The mobile unit is slated to become one of several new emissions testing sites in Illinois. It's all part of the secretary of state's plan to reestablish emissions testing in the city of Chicago.

"I like it; it's very convenient. It stops me like from going all the way to the other side of town, something I really didn't want to do," motorist Artise Taylor said.

Taylor couldn't be happier.

Not only did her Hummer pass its emissions test, but the South Sider didn't have to drive out to the suburbs to get it done.

The opportunity is a part of the continued effort by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

He wants to provide more services to Chicagoans by partnering with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The first phase of the new pilot program sets up mobile vehicle emissions testing at the secretary of state's Chicago South Side DMV location at 99th Street and King Drive.

Giannoulias even took his own car through the process to show how convenient it is.

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"Passed -- it was quick! And again, as I walk up and down the streets every day, the number one thing I hear from people, even though it has nothing to do with us, is about why there are no emissions places in Chicago? Why is it so hard? Why is it so far from everybody?" Giannoulias said.

The Illinois EPA used to have a testing station on the city's Northwest Side, but it, along with several others, were closed in 2016, when then Gov. Bruce Rauner privatized the system.

Emissions testing has been required in Chicago and other major cities since the Federal Clean Air Act was amended in 1990.

It makes testing the emissions of gas-powered vehicles mandatory every other year.

"By having the MTUs here and the kiosks, I think we are, the citizens of Chicago, making it easier for them to get their required emissions test," said Philip Millar, acting manager for the IEPA Bureau of Air.

During the four-week-long pilot program, after passing the emissions test, customers can buy the vehicle registration sticker without having to pay the $9.50 fee charged by outside vendors.

That's an added bonus, said Carmina Weems, a retired school bus driver who's now on a fixed income.

"Usually my sticker's like $135. And since I get a discount, I get it for $10. So, I'm trying to make sure I get everything rolling so I don't have to pay that $135. I can't afford that," Weems said.

The mobile site is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Sept. 12.

It's closed Labor Day.

In the future, both mobile and kiosk locations are expected to be rolled out at the other larger DMV locations on Chicago's North and West sides.