625 ILCS 5/ Illinois Vehicle Code.

Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS)

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(625 ILCS 5/) Illinois Vehicle Code.

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.15)
    Sec. 3-699.15. Coast Guard license plates.

(a) The Secretary, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue special registration plates designated as U.S. Coast Guard plates. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, autocycles, or motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The design and color of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application.

(c) An applicant shall be charged a $26 fee for the original issuance in addition to the appropriate registration fee, if applicable. Of this fee, $11 shall be deposited into the Illinois Veterans' Homes Fund and $15 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. For each registration renewal period, a $26 fee, in addition to the appropriate registration fee, shall be charged. Of this fee, $24 shall be deposited into the Illinois Veterans' Homes Fund and $2 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund.

(Source: P.A. 103-843, eff. 1-1-25.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.16)
    Sec. 3-699.16. Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm license plates.

(a) The Secretary, upon receipt of an
application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may
issue special registration plates designated as Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm license plates to any Illinois resident who has earned the Southwest Asia Service Medal from the United States Armed Forces.  The special plates issued under
this Section may be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first
division, motorcycles, or motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more
than
8,000 pounds. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The design, color, and format of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as
determined by the Secretary, and the appropriate registration
fee shall accompany the application. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall, in his or her discretion, approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 100-820, eff. 8-13-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.17)
    Sec. 3-699.17. Global War on Terrorism license plates.

(a) In addition to any other special license plate, the Secretary, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue Global War on Terrorism license plates to residents of this State who have earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal from the United States Armed Forces. The special Global War on Terrorism plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, including motorcycles, or motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure under Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The design, color, and format of the Global War on Terrorism license plate shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the Global War on Terrorism license plates to be issued as vanity or personalized plates in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. Global War on Terrorism license plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall, in his or her discretion, approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 101-51, eff. 7-12-19; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

(625 ILCS 5/3-699.18)

Sec. 3-699.18. Cold War license plates.

(a)     In addition to any other special license plate, the Secretary, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue Cold War license plates to residents of Illinois who served in the United States Armed Forces between August 15, 1945 and January 1, 1992. The special Cold War plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b)      The design, color, and format of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall, in his or her discretion, approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 101-245, eff. 1-1-20; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.19)
    Sec. 3-699.19. Combat Action Ribbon license plates.

(a) The Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as Combat Action Ribbon plates. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The plates shall display the Combat Action Ribbon. In all other respects, the design and color of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application. The Secretary may, in his or her
discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in
accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code.  The plates are not required to
designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412
of this Code.  The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and,
in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as
provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 100-812, eff. 8-13-18.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.20)
    Sec. 3-699.20. Combat Action Badge license plates.

(a) The Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as Combat Action Badge plates. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The plates shall display the Combat Action Badge. In all other respects, the design and color of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application. The Secretary may, in his or her
discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in
accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code.  The plates are not required to
designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412
of this Code.  The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and,
in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as
provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 100-812, eff. 8-13-18.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.21)
    Sec. 3-699.21. United Nations Protection Force license plates.

(a) In addition to any other special license plate, the Secretary, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue United Nations Protection Force license plates to residents of this State who served in the United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia, Somalia, Panama, or Grenada. The special United Nations Protection Force plate issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, autocycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The design, color, and format of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(c) An applicant shall be charged a $15 fee for original issuance in addition to the applicable registration fee. This additional fee shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. For each registration renewal period, a $2 fee, in addition to the appropriate registration fee, shall be charged and shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund.

(Source: P.A. 103-843, eff. 1-1-25; 104-82, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.22)
    Sec. 3-699.22. United States Submarine Veterans plates.

(a) The Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as United States Submarine Veterans plates to each resident of this State who served in the United States Navy as a submariner. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1.

(b) The plates shall display the United States Submarine Veterans logo and the phrase "Silent Service". In all other respects, the design and color of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application. The Secretary, in the Secretary's discretion, may allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412. The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and, in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 103-130, eff. 1-1-24; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.23)
    Sec. 3-699.23. Defense Superior Service license plates.

(a) The Secretary, upon receipt of an application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as Defense Superior Service license plates to recipients awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal by a branch of the armed forces of the United States who reside in this State. The special plates issued pursuant to this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. The Secretary may allow the plates to be issued as vanity or personalized plates in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The Secretary shall make a version of the special registration plates authorized under this Section in a form appropriate for motorcycles.

(b) The plates shall display the Defense Superior Service Medal. In all other respects, the design and color of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and, in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412. No registration fee, including the fees established under Section 3-806 of this Code, shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of any plates issued under this Section. However, no individual shall be issued more than one pair of plates under this Section for which no fee is required in accordance with Section 3-806.2.

(Source: P.A. 103-673, eff. 1-1-25.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.24)
    Sec. 3-699.24. Defense Distinguished Service license plates.

(a) The Secretary, upon receipt of an application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as Defense Distinguished Service license plates to recipients awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal by a branch of the armed forces of the United States who reside in this State. The special plates issued pursuant to this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. The Secretary may allow the plates to be issued as vanity or personalized plates in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The Secretary shall make a version of the special registration plates authorized under this Section in a form appropriate for motorcycles.

(b) The plates shall display the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. In all other respects, the design and color of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and, in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412. No registration fee, including the fees established under Section 3-806 of this Code, shall be charged for the issuance or renewal of any plates issued under this Section. However, no individual shall be issued more than one pair of plates under this Section for which no fee is required in accordance with Section 3-806.2.

(Source: P.A. 103-673, eff. 1-1-25.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.25)
    Sec. 3-699.25. Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates.

(a) In addition to any other special license plate, the Secretary, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates to residents of this State who have been awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal. The special Air Force Combat Action Medal plate issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1.

(b) The plates shall display the Air Force Combat Action Medal. In all other respects, the design, color, and format of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. The Secretary may, in the Secretary's own discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412. The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and, in the Secretary's own discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 103-660, eff. 1-1-25; 104-417, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (625 ILCS 5/3-699.26)
    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-213)
    Sec. 3-699.26. EMS chief license plates.

(a) Beginning with the 2027 registration year, the Secretary, upon receipt of a request from a municipality that operates a fire department or a fire protection district, accompanied by an application and the appropriate fee, may issue, to an emergency medical services (EMS) chief of the municipality or fire protection district, special registration plates designated as EMS chief license plates. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division or motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds that are owned by an EMS chief, a municipality, or a fire protection district. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the multiyear procedure established by Section 3-414.1.

(b) The design and color of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln" as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412. The Secretary may prescribe rules governing the requirements and approval of the special plates. The fee for this plate for a vehicle owned by an EMS chief shall be the same as the fee prescribed for first division vehicles under Section 3-806. Permanent license plates for EMS vehicles owned by a municipality or fire protection district shall be issued at the fee prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-808.1.

(c) With the exception of permanently issued plates, upon the resignation, termination, or reassignment to a rank or position other than EMS chief, a person issued plates under this Section shall immediately surrender the license plate to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall have the ability to recover license plates issued under this Section.

(d) Plates issued to a vehicle owned by an EMS chief under this Section shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (a) of Section 3-600.

(Source: P.A. 104-213, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-214)
    Sec. 3-699.26. Air Medal license plates.

(a) Beginning with the 2027 registration year, the Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as Air Medal plates to residents of the State who have been awarded the Air Medal by the United States Armed Forces. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, autocycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The plates shall display the Air Medal. In all other respects, the design and color of the special plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, shall accompany each application. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and, in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 104-214, eff. 1-1-26.)

    (Text of Section from P.A. 104-216)
    (This Section may contain text from a Public Act with a delayed effective date)
    Sec. 3-699.26. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal license plates.

(a) In addition to any other special license plate, the Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates registered as Armed Forces Expeditionary license plates to residents of Illinois who have been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in the United States Armed Forces after July 1, 1958 and participated in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, or U.S. operations of assistance for friendly foreign nations. The special plates issued pursuant to this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, and motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The design, color, and format of the plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary. The Secretary may allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized plates in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate "Land of Lincoln", as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall, in his or her discretion, approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.

(Source: P.A. 104-216, eff. 7-1-26.)

(625 ILCS 5/Ch. 3 Art. VII heading) ARTICLE VII.

OFFENSES AGAINST REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE OF TITLE LAWS OR

REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION OR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE

(625 ILCS 5/3-701) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-701)
Sec. 3-701.

Operation of vehicles without evidence of registration - Operation under mileage plates when odometer broken or disconnected.

(a) No person shall operate, nor shall an owner knowingly permit to be operated, except as provided in subsection (b) of this Section, a vehicle upon any highway unless there shall be attached thereto and displayed thereon when and as required by law, proper evidence of registration in Illinois, as follows:

(1) A vehicle required to be registered in Illinois.

A current and valid Illinois registration sticker or stickers and plate or plates or digital registration sticker or stickers and digital plate or plates, or an Illinois temporary registration permit, or a drive-away or in-transit permit, issued therefor by the Secretary of State.

(2) A vehicle eligible for Reciprocity. A current and

valid reciprocal foreign registration plate or digital registration plate or plates properly issued to such vehicle or a temporary registration issued therefor, by the reciprocal State, and, in addition, when required by the Secretary, a current and valid Illinois Reciprocity Permit or Prorate Decal issued therefor by the Secretary of State; or except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Chapter.

(3) A vehicle commuting for repairs in Illinois. A

dealer plate issued by a foreign state shall exempt a vehicle from the requirements of this Section if the vehicle is being operated for the purpose of transport to a repair facility in Illinois to have repairs performed on the vehicle displaying foreign dealer plates. The driver of the motor vehicle bearing dealer plates shall provide a work order or contract with the repair facility to a law enforcement officer upon request.

(b) A person may operate or permit operation of a vehicle upon any highway a vehicle that has been properly registered but does not display a current and valid Illinois registration sticker or digital registration sticker if he or she has proof, in the form of a printed receipt from the Secretary, that he or she registered the vehicle but has not received a new registration sticker or digital registration sticker from the Secretary. This printed proof of registration is valid for 30 days from the expiration of the previous registration sticker's or digital registration sticker's date or 30 days from the purchase date of the new registration sticker or digital registration sticker, whichever occurs later.

(c) No person shall operate, nor shall any owner knowingly permit to be operated, any vehicle of the second division for which the owner has made an election to pay the mileage tax in lieu of the annual flat weight tax, at any time when the odometer of such vehicle is broken or disconnected, or is inoperable or not operating.

(Source: P.A. 104-105, eff. 8-1-25.)