Scherer Bill to Waive Plate Registration Fees for Families of Fallen Service Members

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A bill sponsored by state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, allowing family members of fallen war heroes with special military vanity license plates to forgo paying registration fees passed out of a House transportation committee last week.

“Imposing burdensome fees on the families of our service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice isn’t something we should be supporting,” Scherer said. “My bill would essentially waive the registration fee for Gold Star license plates designated to honoring the families of fallen soldiers.”

Currently, the Illinois Secretary of State may issue Gold Star vanity license plates to surviving spouses, children or parents of fallen service members. Scherer’s House Bill 4488 would remove the requirement that drivers seeking these plates pay the $151 registration fee.

“I want to make sure we are making every possible effort to support the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty,” said Scherer. “At the very least, they shouldn’t be required to pay expensive fees to honor their loved one’s sacrifice.”