The Authority and the Service Boards shall be exempt from all State and unit of local government taxes and registration and license fees other than as required for motor vehicle registration in accordance with the “Illinois Vehicle Code”, as now or hereafter amended. All property of the Authority and the Service Boards is declared to be public property devoted to an essential public and governmental function and purpose and shall be exempt from all taxes and special assessments of the State, any subdivision thereof, or any unit of local government.