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Van life isn’t a thing of the past – a relic of the Woodstock era or 70s sitcoms (looking at you, Partridge Family).

It’s still popular today in some circles, and this use of one’s van is more than just a passing fad. Using your van to transform your life is as much a lifestyle choice as it is a vehicle preference, although driving and spending time in a van is certainly part and parcel of this trend.

What Is Van Life?

For many, van life started as a way to escape the grind of paying rent monthly or making mortgage payments. Imagine waking up to a new view every morning—mountains one day, a beach the next—and not needing to ask for time off to explore them.

Van life offers that kind of flexibility that can turn everyday routines into small adventures. Whether it’s cooking breakfast with the tailgate flung open to a sunrise or falling asleep to the sound of crickets in the desert, the road becomes both the journey and the destination, as long as you have a decent set of wheels to make that happen.

When and Why Did Van Life Become Popular?

The desire to explore unknown parts of the country has always existed, whether by train or some other means of transportation. However, it recently gained popularity during the pandemic, along with the tiny house craze.

Part of it stemmed from a want or need to downsize, as thousands of workers lost their jobs and were becoming isolated and homebound. People were going stir crazy due to social distancing. But they were also experiencing a desire for freedom, a simpler way of living, a better view, and more connection with other parts of society.

Your Van Can Be Your Home … Kind of

Some of those exploring van life are doing so not as a full-time lifestyle, but as a flexible addition to their existing home setup. Rather than giving everything up, many use their vans to supplement traditional living in practical as well as creative ways.

A range of factors are pushing people of different ages to consider this lifestyle, either part-time or full-time, as an alternative to home ownership:

• Flexibility: A van offers the ability to travel or relocate quickly, whether for a spontaneous getaway or an extended stay somewhere else.
• Cost of Living: In areas with high housing costs, a van can serve as a temporary or seasonal living space.
• Multi-Use Functionality: A van can double as a mobile office, guest room or quiet space away from the chaos at home.
• Lifestyle Expansion: It doesn’t have to be about downsizing. Your new van-centric lifestyle can also be about expanding your idea of what a home is, with the added bonus of waking up in a beautiful new place whenever the mood strikes.

What Do You Need to Drive a Van Legally in Illinois?

For the most part, there is not much difference between registering a van or a car to drive it legally in the state of Illinois. If you have ever owned a car – or a motorcycle, for that matter – then you should be familiar with the process.

That said, it is equally crucial to manage routine tasks like:

• Registering your van in the state where you live
• Getting plate stickers annually
• Getting city stickers, depending on requirements where you live
• Doing emissions tests as required by your local government

Your nearest CFSC Auto Services will help you sort through some of these processes so they are convenient and less time-consuming than dealing with the DMV.

If any of the above makes you less enthused about your new van life or your ability to afford this type of vehicle, take heart. There are several things you can do to make vehicle ownership less expensive, from taking the steps in this blog to purchasing a hybrid or EV and saving on gas.

Where Can You Park Vans Legally in Illinois?

Another thing to consider before riding off into the sunset in your dream van is where to park it. Illinois Highway Rest Areas & Welcome Centers have spots that are typically open 24/7 and may allow you to rest up for a few hours. Personal contacts with access to property may be another option.

It’s important to follow parking rules, particularly when it comes to overnight parking. Be sure to do your research if you are planning to park your van for extended lengths of time – for your safety, as well as to keep up with local regulations.

Drive Your Van to CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

Need help with some of the licensing services mentioned above? We’ve got you and your van covered.

Call CFSC Auto Services with questions, or head to one of our locations in person and a team member will tell you what you need to know.

The topic of being an organ donor captures imaginations on countless TV shows, in which one person’s fate ends up saving the lives of strangers. There is some truth to these stories. A single donor can help or save the lives of multiple people – up to 25, according to the Illinois Secretary of State. Tissue donations of non-organs such as skin, tendons, corneas and heart valves are also life savers.

But in reality, getting enough people to register to be on a donor registry list is still a challenge.

Your Driver’s License and Organ Donation

Have you signed up to be an organ donor? You’ll know if your driver’s license has an indicator on it – such as the word “donor” stamped in the shape of the state of Illinois. But a combination of fear, misconceptions and simple delays in acting are keeping the numbers lower than they need to be.

Afraid to Register as an Organ Donor?

Registering as an organ donor doesn’t necessarily mean you will become one. Numerous other factors would need to come together. If a person loses their life, that doesn’t mean their organs are automatically accepted. Whether an organ is donated may depend on blood type, urgency, the wait time and other factors.

Most important to those afraid to register, doctors will try just as hard to save your life – if you are in a car accident, for example – as they do with everyone else. Read about how new technology is making cars safer than ever in our recent blog.

Why Consider Registering as an Organ Donor

Thousands of people await transplants every day for life-saving and life-extending operations. Even with kidney donations, in which the donor is alive, the need far outweighs yearly donations. It’s understandable. Agreeing to potentially donate a part of one’s body for any reason can be a difficult one to make for many people.

Meanwhile, several hundred people pass away annually due to a shortage of available organs.

Most Americans Want to Donate Their Organs

Illinois has one of the biggest donor registries in the U.S. But like in other states the need is still urgent, with 4,000 people currently on the wait list. Far more people say they would want to be donors than those who actually register, which shows that helping to inform people of the process might lead to many more registered donors, and more lives saved.

As a driver, there are a few steps you can take if you either didn’t realize you weren’t registered as an organ donor or have had a change of heart. You can:

1. Register at LifeGoesOn.com (the official Secretary of State’s website)
2. Register in person at a DMV office
3. Wait until your license expires and make the change on your next driver’s licence

Organ & Tissue Donation in Illinois

The need is so great in Illinois that a new public awareness campaign is highlighting the powerful ripple effect of organ donation. The campaign’s debut ad, airing on TV and digital platforms, tells the story of a firefighter whose life was saved by a transplant who then goes on to save others. Inspired by real-life accounts. It shows how one donation can spark a chain of lifesaving acts, while also creating a second chance at life for recipients who go on to commit other acts of service.

How to Register as an Organ Donor in Illinois & Wisconsin

Registering is quite simple. There’s nothing to expect other than a note on your driver’s license – if you have one – identifying you as an organ donor. The Illinois Donor & Tissue Registry offers other information for people who are interested:

Who can register: You must be 16 or older with a valid ID to register (there is no standard maximum age limit).

Diversity Needed: Donors from all races and ethnic backgrounds are needed.

Life-Saving Priority: All life-saving efforts will still be taken.

Is there a cost: There is no charge related to organ donation or registration.

What Can Be Donated: The heart, kidneys, lungs, and other organs, as well as tissues (corneas, etc.)

Legality: Buying, selling, or getting paid for one’s organs is illegal.

Withdrawal: You can change your mind and withdraw your consent any time through the Secretary of State’s office.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services provides more information on its website on becoming a donor in that state.

CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

While CFSC Auto Services doesn’t register people as organ donors, we provide many licensing services that are important to know about if you want to drive legally and avoid tickets:

• Car title and registration
• Title transfers
• Lost or stolen plates and stickers
• Many other auto and financial services

Call CFSC Auto Services or stop by your nearest location for more information and assistance!

Wide, open skies. Less traffic. Sudden spikes and drops in temperature. There’s a lot to love about road tripping through the middle of the U.S, as well as a few challenges to keep you on your toes. Research the journey as much as the destination, and you can have the experience of a lifetime surrounded by surprisingly diverse natural beauty.

Our Highly Diverse Landscapes

Out on the open road, the rich natural habitat extending from Ohio to the Dakotas is a big part of what makes the Midwest worth exploring on four wheels. It also makes road trips through these parts different from anywhere else. Late spring and early summer drives offer a relaxing and highly photogenic experience thanks to the region’s expansive prairies, rolling farmland, and even some dramatic ice age rock formations further north.

From Auto Services to EV Stations: Prepare Before Leaving

The last thing you want is a fine due to a lack of upkeep with the duller side of driving, like stickers and other licensing details. Take care of those items at your nearest CFSC Auto Services before heading out.

Gas prices vary quite a bit from state to state, and even within states. One way to save a few dollars on gas is to pinpoint stations with lower prices on your route and make sure they will be open when you arrive. We have plenty of EV stations, too, and it’s helpful to know their locations in advance.

Natural Habitats in Late Spring and Summer

Unlike the mountainous terrain of the West or the dense forests of the East, the Midwest’s gently undulating landscapes create a tranquil, open-sky feeling. Travelers may find themselves passing endless fields dotted with red barns and small-town grain elevators. The uninterrupted views of the sky make sunrises and sunsets especially vivid.

That said, two things drivers should prepare for:

Expect some rain and drive cautiously. It’s not all flat land. The unpredictable weather and hilly conditions can lead to dangerously slippery roads. Unexpected thunderstorms fueled by clashing warm and cool fronts this time of year may create dramatic weather changes that can be a challenge for anyone behind the wheel.

Prepare for allergy season: Our wildflowers are a sight to see. By late spring, black-eyed Susans and coneflowers will be blooming on roadsides and in nature preserves. But all that lush greenery can bring on stronger allergies than when sitting at home. Pack some tissues, roll up the windows if necessary, and enjoy the view.

Surprisingly Scenic Midwestern Routes

The best road trips are designed around picturesque byways, even if it takes a bit longer to get to your destination. All this humidity leads to robust ecosystems worth exploring on foot if you can. Spend some time reviewing the options to get a realistic sense of driving times.

The Midwest comprises twelve states spanning about a thousand miles corner to corner. Whether you’re traveling solo or have a spouse and kids in tow, four roads in particular are well worth exploring:

1. Great River Road (Illinois/Iowa/Wisconsin/Minnesota, etc.)

This National Scenic Byway traces the path of the Mississippi River for over 3,000 miles, with some of its most beautiful segments running through the bluff country of Wisconsin and Iowa. The small towns and local festivals are perfect for impromptu stops, but gas stations may be sparse in rural stretches.

2. Flint Hills Scenic Byway (Kansas)

This one runs through the largest remaining tallgrass prairie in North America. Winds can be strong and constant, and cell service may be patchy. Bring water and a physical map, and take time to stop at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City.

3. North Shore Scenic Drive (Minnesota)

This 154-mile route along Lake Superior offers stunning views of the lake and waterfalls. It also provides access to several state parks, including Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse. The weather can be cool and foggy, even in summer, so pack accordingly. Drivers need to watch out for moose, especially in the early morning or early evening.

4. Ohio River Scenic Byway (Indiana/Ohio/Illinois)

This byway follows one of the country’s most historic rivers and passes by Underground Railroad sites and through charming historic towns like Madison, Indiana. The road can be curvy and narrow in places, especially once you get into the hills. Control your speed and be ready for sudden changes in elevation and visibility.

CFSC Auto Services in Illinois & Wisconsin

Are you and your vehicle road trip ready? Head to CFSC Auto Services to take care of your title, registration, plates, stickers, and a range of personal finance services.