Section 1010.458  Collegiate License Plates

a)         For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

"College" or "University" – any accredited not-for-profit institution of higher learning, public or private, located in the State of Illinois, as specified in Section 10 of the Illinois Higher Education Student Assistance Act [110 ILCS 947/10].

"First Division vehicles" – motor vehicles designed for carrying not more than 10 persons as defined in Section 1-146 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/1-146].

"Second Division vehicles" – motor vehicles designed for carrying more than 10 persons, motor vehicles designed or used for living quarters, motor vehicles designed for pulling or carrying freight, cargo, or implements of husbandry, and motor vehicles of the First Division remodeled for use and used as motor vehicles of the Second Division as defined in Section 1-146 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/1-146].

"State College and University Trust Fund" – a special fund created in the State Treasury.  Monies collected are to be distributed to each public university or college in proportion to the number of plates sold in regard to that university or college.  These monies are to be distributed to the college or university for the sole purpose of scholarship grant awards.

"University Grant Fund" – a special fund created in the State Treasury. Monies collected are to be appropriated to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for grant awards.

b)         Any college of university wishing to participate in the Collegiate license plate program shall submit a written request to the Secretary of State. The request must originate from the Chief Executive of that institution.

c)         The college or university must provide a minimum of 1500 requests for the license plates. All requests must be accompanied by the additional fee associated with the collegiate license plate.

d)         Plate design shall consist of a background color (white) with a limit or two additional colors for depicting the school logo.  All plate designs must be approved by the Secretary of State.

1)         Any school's logo having a copyright attached must submit written permission from the copyright holder prior to final approval of the plate design.

2)         Upon final approval of the plate design, the Secretary of State shall have a minimum of 180 days to prepare and begin issuance of that college or university license plate.

e)         Any resident of the State of Illinois may purchase Collegiate license plates in accordance with Section 3-629 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/3-629].  These special registration plates shall only be issued for first division vehicles and second division vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less.

f)         An applicant wishing to obtain Collegiate plates shall complete an application as prescribed by the Secretary.  In accordance with Section 3-629 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/3-629], applicants shall also submit an original issuance fee of $40 plus the statutory annual registration fee as specified in Section 3-806 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/3-806]. An additional $27 fee is applicable at each renewal.

g)         Of the $40 fee, $25 is deposited into the State College and University Trust Fund or the University Grant Fund whichever is appropriate, $15 is deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund as outlined in Section 2-119(1) of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/2-119(1)].

h)         In order to obtain Collegiate license plates:

1)         if the present Illinois plates expire within 60 days, upon receipt of the preprinted renewal application, the applicant shall submit the renewal application, the original issuance fee of $40 as cited in subsection (f) of this Section, and the registration fee as specified in Section 3-806 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/3-806].

2)         if the present plates do not expire within 60 days, the applicant shall submit the appropriate completed application with a copy of his/her current registration identification card.  The applicant shall also pay a reclassification fee as provided in Section 5/3-802 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/3-802] plus the additional $40 fee as provided in subsection (f).

i)          Applications are available from, and should be submitted to:

            Office of the Secretary of State

            Non-Standard Plates Section

            Michael J. Howlett Building

            Springfield, IL 62756

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 12578, effective July 17, 2013)