Emissions test backlog causes wait time spike at Joliet facility, statewide

JOLIET – What is typically a quick errand has become a time-consuming chore for some residents in Will County and across the Chicago area as vehicle emissions test wait times spiked because of a test notice mailing backlog.

Throughout the week at various times, a line of cars snaked from the Joliet testing station at 3501 Mall Loop Drive past the Louis Joliet Mall and up to Route 30.

Statewide, the long waits in recent days are the highest Illinois Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman Kim Biggs ever has seen.

In December, the EPA stopped sending test notices to drivers as a result of the ongoing state budget impasse, Biggs said.

The first group of drivers affected by the notice suspension were those due for testing in March, according to Biggs. Notice mailing was reinstated April 6 when the state’s testing contractor, Applus Technologies Inc., agreed to mail them at no charge, a condition that was already part of its upcoming Nov. 1 contract with the state.

Drivers of vehicles due for testing in March, April and May all had a May 31 deadline to complete the test.

“That certainly did have an impact on the wait times,” Biggs said of the backlog.

A photo submitted Thursday to The Herald-News shows a sign at the Joliet testing station estimating the wait time was 68 minutes. Biggs clarified that the sign only counts vehicles that have reached the official testing queue.

According to the EPA website, the Joliet testing location is one of two in Will County. The other is Meineke Car Care at 20712 Gaskin Drive in Romeoville.

Biggs said wait times are expected to decrease in the coming days, now that the deadline has passed.