HB3391 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to authorize the Secretary of State to issue a new special registration plate called a “retro license plate.” The plates would be available for passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, autocycles, and certain second-division motor vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less. The bill specifies that the plate design and color must replicate Illinois license plates issued between 1983 and 2001, and it allows the plates to be issued as vanity or personalized plates if otherwise permitted under existing law.
The bill also establishes a fee structure for the new plate series. Applicants would pay a $40 original issuance fee plus the normal registration fees, and a $27 fee for each renewal period. The bill states that these additional fees are intended to cover production costs and support technology and modernization updates within the registration system.
Impact
HB3391 would add a new special-plate program to the Illinois Vehicle Code and give the Secretary of State authority to administer retro-style plates for eligible vehicles. It would affect vehicle owners who want the commemorative plates, while also creating a dedicated revenue stream from issuance and renewal fees to offset administrative and production expenses. The bill does not change general registration requirements, but it expands the menu of optional plate designs available under state law.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was broadly well received: it passed Third Reading in the House by a unanimous 106-0 vote on April 7, 2025. No committee transcript is available, but the lack of recorded opposition and the strong floor vote indicate general support for the measure. The bill appears to be a low-conflict, consumer-facing vehicle registration proposal with appeal to motorists interested in nostalgic or personalized plates.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials, and there were no recorded nay votes on the House Third Reading vote. Potential areas of discussion, based on the bill text, could include whether the added fees are justified, whether the Secretary of State should offer another specialty plate, and whether the retro design and personalization options should be limited to certain vehicle classes. However, the available record does not show organized opposition or substantive dispute.