Road to riches?
Obama plate might give state budget a boost
Illinois' license plates proudly boast we're the Land of Lincoln. Now, we're the Land of Obama, too. So what would happen if state leaders gave drivers the option of buying a special license plate to commemorate Barack Obama's historic inauguration as president?
Judging by calls to Secretary of State Jesse White's office and an examination of state records, the idea might offer a boost for the state's cash-strapped budget.
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
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The secretary of state has been getting 10 to 15 calls a day since Obama's Nov. 4 victory asking if an Obama commemorative plate is in the works, White spokesman Dave Druker said.
Specialty plates bring the state millions of dollars each year. An Obama plate -- priced higher than normal plates, of course -- might bring in money that could be used for any number of purposes.
"A Barack Obama presidential plate is unlikely to be able to address the main structural financial problems facing the state, but it could provide valuable revenue that might allow the state to keep historic sites and state parks open," says Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a government watchdog organization in Chicago. "Certainly, there is enormous interest in Illinois in support of Barack Obama. The opportunity for Illinois to celebrate his inauguration and provide additional funding to the state is something that would seem to be obvious."
Illinois law requires the General Assembly to pass legislation before specialty plates can be created.
Fees from 228,233 specialty plates in 71 categories brought in more than $4.2 million last year. White's office spent $642,000 of that to cover production costs. The remaining $3.6 million went toward causes the plates represent.
The environmental plate, or "E" plate, brought in the most cash -- more than $1.1 million. The prevent-violence plate, "PV," brought in $506,450 to fight domestic violence.
The least-popular plates: agriculture, youth golf and hospice care.
The state charges a premium for these plates -- typically $40 more than the $78 standard fee the first time around and $27 more with each renewal.
Of that extra $40, $25 goes to the cause the plate touts and $15 toward production costs. Of the $27 renewal fee, $25 goes to the cause.
There are more than 11 million cars with Illinois license plates. If 500,000 Obama fans would go for a plate with his likeness, it would mean $12.5 million for the state.
Maybe that's overestimating Obama's star power.
Then again, consider this: Wicker Park resident Bill Slater, 53, got Illinois license plates bearing the letters "OBAMA" back in 2006. Now, whenever he drives anywhere, he says, "People are fighting to get alongside of me and look at me. They're giving me the thumbs-up."
Back before Obama's presidential star power, Slater says, that might happen three or four times a week. "Now, it's four or five times a day."
So Slater likes the idea of a special Obama plate. Besides giving people the chance to celebrate his favorite politician, maybe it would also help keep the "OBAMA" plates on his black Ford Taurus from being stolen.
"There's places I will not go and park my car because I'm scared somebody might steal 'em," he says.
Chris Fusco