HB3004 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code section governing special license plates. The bill lowers the application threshold for the Secretary of State to begin issuing a new series of special plates, and related Universal special plates tied to organizations that issue decals, from 2,000 applications to 250 applications. The bill keeps an exception for plates recognizing military service or military medals/awards, which may be issued immediately when authorized.
The measure also retains and restates existing requirements that applications be submitted on forms designated by the Secretary of State, that associated fees be handled according to the enabling law, and that funds from plate sales be deposited as directed even if the plate is never produced. It continues the rule that special plates must be authorized by the General Assembly and preserves the compliance requirements for charitable entities receiving plate proceeds, including annual proof of compliance with Illinois charity-registration laws.
Impact
If enacted, HB3004 would make it easier for new specialty and organizational license plate series to reach the issuance stage by reducing the minimum number of applications needed. That change would likely increase the number of special plate programs that can move forward, potentially benefiting sponsoring organizations and applicants, while also reducing the risk that a plate authorization expires before enough demand is shown. The bill would amend Section 3-600 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and would not alter the separate immediate-issuance treatment for military-related plates or the existing compliance and fund-handling rules for charitable recipients.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the text alone, the bill appears administratively focused and relatively narrow, suggesting a practical rather than ideological purpose. The reduction in the application threshold may be viewed favorably by organizations seeking specialty plates and by applicants who want more options, while others could view it as lowering the bar for creating plates that may have limited demand.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the policy choice to reduce the required application count from 2,000 to 250. Supporters would likely argue that the current threshold is too high and prevents otherwise viable specialty plates from being issued, while critics may worry that a lower threshold could lead to more fragmented plate offerings, added administrative burden, or the launch of plates with insufficient public interest. Another possible issue is the continued use of application fees and the handling of funds for plates that are authorized but never produced, though the bill largely preserves existing law on those points.
Reforms the organizational structure for the Department of Transportation and Development including its duties, powers, and responsibilities of officers and employees (EN INCREASE SD EX See Note)
A bill for an act providing for certain business entities acting under the jurisdiction of the secretary of state by providing for the removal of information from a filing based on a sworn affidavit and administrative dissolution based on the response to interrogatories.(See HF 2678.)