Pope Leo XIV Plates & Statue: Illinois Proposal
- An Illinois bill seeks to create specialty license plates honoring Pope Leo XIV, a Dolton, Illinois, native.
- The proposed legislation would authorize the Illinois Secretary of State's office to issue the commemorative Pope leo XIV license plates.
- According to the bill, $15 of the extra fee would go to the Secretary of State's special license plate fund.
Illinois lawmakers are considering a unique proposal: Pope Leo XIV license plates and a statue near the Capitol. This initiative, put forward by Representative martin McLaughlin, aims to honor the Dolton, illinois, native. Drivers who opt for these specialty plates will pay an extra $27 fee on top of their standard registration costs. The revenue generated will be split, with a portion of the funds allocated to the state and the remaining funds going towards a designated commemoration fund. This fund will be specifically earmarked for expenses related to a Pope Leo XIV statue near the Capitol building, potentially funded by donations.News Directory 3 has the story. Will this plan become law, and what does this mean for Illinois drivers? Discover what’s next as the bill progresses.
Illinois Lawmaker Proposes Pope Leo XIV license Plates, Statue
Updated May 28, 2025
An Illinois bill seeks to create specialty license plates honoring Pope Leo XIV, a Dolton, Illinois, native. Republican State Representative Martin McLaughlin introduced the measure, which also proposes erecting a statue of the pontiff near the state capitol.
The proposed legislation would authorize the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to issue the commemorative Pope leo XIV license plates. A portion of the revenue generated would then fund the potential statue project. The license plate proposal specifies an additional $27 fee on top of standard registration costs.
According to the bill, $15 of the extra fee would go to the Secretary of State’s special license plate fund. The remaining $12 would be allocated to the Pope Leo XIV commemoration fund.
This commemoration fund would be a dedicated account within the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund. It would hold deposits specifically for expenses related to the Pope Leo XIV statue near the Capitol building.
The legislation states that the account could except donations from any source. Funds can only be used for purposes directly related to the statue’s creation and maintenance.