Bill proposes $13 million in license plates
comes home    

[MARCH 6, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, that would require all Illinois license plates to be manufactured in Illinois advanced in the Illinois House on Wednesday.

"Despite a high unemployment rate, Illinois has sent more than $13 million dollars over the past two years to a Canadian firm to manufacture Illinois license plates," Mitchell said.

He indicated that he find it incredible that the current administration "would rather spend this money in Nova Scotia than spend it on jobs here in Illinois."

House Bill 3850 would require all license plates manufactured after Jan. 1, 2005, to be manufactured in this state.

According to the secretary of state's office, the number of license plates needed to be manufactured each year is about 2.1 million.

"We have a firm here in Decatur, Macon Resources, that manufactures license plates and provides good jobs for Illinois families," Mitchell said. "Some say it is cheaper to have Canada make the plates. I argue that in the long run we are doing a disservice to the people of Illinois who are looking to us for jobs and a revitalized economy. I am pleased this bill cleared committee today and now will receive a fair hearing on the House floor."

[News release from Rep. Bill Mitchell]