(a) No person, whether or not engaged in the junk business, shall establish, operate or maintain a junkyard within the jurisdiction of the Department under this chapter any portion of which is within 1,000 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of any public highway of this State without obtaining a license from the Department.
(b) The Department, in accordance with this chapter, shall issue and renew licenses for a period of 1 year for the establishment, maintenance and operation of junkyards within its jurisdiction, provided, however, no license shall be issued for the erection or construction of any junkyard which would be in violation of local law or ordinance at the time the application is filed.
(c) The Department may establish and collect fees for the issuance of licenses and renewals thereof. The amount of such charge shall be so fixed as to provide the funds deemed necessary by it to defray the cost of the administration of this chapter.