WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 3004

Relating to community violence prevention.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bobby Levy and 2 co-sponsors

Lower the required applications to issue a new special license plate from 2,000 to 250, enabling more groups to obtain state plates.

In committee upon adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 3004

Summary — HB 3004 (104th General Assembly)

Title: VEHICLE CODE — SPECIAL PLATES
Primary sponsor: Rep. Norine K. Hammond

Purpose / Intent

HB 3004 amends Section 3-600 of the Illinois Vehicle Code to lower the application threshold required before the Secretary of State may issue a new series of special (organizational/specialty) license plates. The bill is intended to make it easier for organizations to obtain state-authorized specialty plates while preserving certain compliance and consumer-protection rules.

Key provisions (what the bill changes or requires)

  • Lowers the minimum number of applications required to authorize issuance of a new special plate series from 2,000 to 250 (applications as prescribed by the Secretary, including any in-process applications).
    • Exception: special plates that recognize an applicant's military service or receipt of a military medal/award may be issued immediately under the existing subsection (a-5).
  • If the required number of applications is not received within 2 years of the effective date of the statute authorizing the plate, the Secretary of State’s authority to issue that special plate (or Universal decal) is nullified.
  • Fees collected under Section 3-600 are non‑refundable and must be deposited into the special fund associated with that plate/organization, even if the plate is not ultimately produced.
  • Charitable compliance: if a statute designates a charitable recipient of plate proceeds, that entity must:
    • Comply with the Charitable Trust Act and the Solicitation for Charity Act, and
    • Annually provide the Secretary of State a letter of compliance from the Illinois Attorney General.
      Failure to provide required compliance verification will cause undistributed funds to be transferred to the General Revenue Fund and the special plate to be discontinued.
  • Discontinuation/recall: if fewer than 1,000 sets of any issued special plate are actively registered for 2 consecutive calendar years, the Secretary may discontinue that plate series or require exchange for Universal plates with appropriate decals. Previously issued plates of discontinued types shall be recalled; owners will not be charged replacement plate or sticker fees when new plates are issued.
  • Other technical provisions retained/clarified:
    • Secretary must notify law enforcement when a new special series is issued.
    • Special plates authorized for motorcycles may also be issued for autocycles.
    • Secretary may use alternating numeric/alphabetical characters for special registration plates.
    • Secretary may issue digital registration plates and stickers in accordance with Section 3-401.5.
    • Section does not limit discretionary authority elsewhere (e.g., Section 3-611).

Who is affected

  • Civic groups, nonprofit/charitable organizations, trade associations, and other groups seeking state-authorized specialty plates — lower application threshold reduces the barrier to creating a plate series.
  • Secretary of State’s office — increased administrative workload for processing and potentially issuing more plate types, monitoring compliance, and enforcing discontinuation/recall rules.
  • Law enforcement — notification requirement when new series are issued.
  • Vehicle owners who hold discontinued plates — subject to plate recall and issuance of replacement plates but not replacement fees.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Filed/introduced in House by Rep. Norine K. Hammond (document indicates filing and first reading in early February 2025). Legislative actions show committee hearings and a committee substitute; reported favorably as substituted (committee activity in March–April 2025).
  • As of the latest actions provided: considered in Calendars (May 7, 2025) and noted as Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee (March 21, 2025). Final enactment and effective date are not included in the bill text provided.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Lowering the threshold from 2,000 to 250 is likely to increase the number of authorized special plate designs, enabling small or niche organizations to qualify.
  • Administrative and production costs for the Secretary of State could rise; more plate series to manage may affect inventory, enforcement, and plate-recognition systems.
  • Compliance provisions (charitable registration and AG-issued compliance letter) aim to prevent misuse of plate proceeds but require ongoing verification.
  • The discontinuation and recall provisions limit proliferation of low‑use plates by removing series with sustained low registrations (fewer than 1,000 sets for two years).

If you want, I can prepare a short comparison table showing current law vs. proposed changes, or draft potential stakeholder impacts (DMV, nonprofits, law enforcement) in more detail.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.