Local lawmakers believe the Village of Roscoe can play a key role in solving the problems created by the Secretary of State’s closure of one of the Rockford DMV facilities. As a result of the closure of the Auburn Street DMV branch, the remaining facility in Rockford on State Street will see a dramatic increase in clients served and be inundated with thousands of additional driving tests.

Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) and Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford/Belvidere) believe if the DMV office in Roscoe were to expand to a full-service facility, including drivers’ tests, it would take pressure off the State Street site and give better service to the thousands of drivers who would find Roscoe a more convenient facility to use.

“When the Auburn Street closure was first announced, one of the first calls I received was from Roscoe Village President David Krienke, who said the village would be willing to work with the Secretary of State’s office to expand services currently provided at Roscoe Village Hall,” Syverson said. “This seems like a common-sense and fiscally viable solution.”

“We understand to get the Secretary of State to approve expanded services in Roscoe, the solution has to be close to cost neutral,” Sosnowski said. “In this case, with the village offering free space for the Secretary of State’s office, there would be minimal cost. Any increased staff cost would be offset by staff savings from the Rockford location.”

With the closure of the Rockford facility happening in a couple of weeks, the legislators are urging the Secretary of State’s office to make a timely decision on their request to avoid confusion and disruption of services for the citizens of Winnebago County.