Vehicle registration plates of Illinois

The U.S. state of Illinois first required motorists to register their vehicles in 1907 and began issuing license plates to registrants in 1911. Plates were issued annually until 1978.

Early history

In 1907, Illinois motorists were first required to register their vehicles with the Secretary of State's office and pay a one time registration fee of $2. Registrants were issued a numbered aluminum disc to place on their dashboard, but they had to provide their own license plates. The registration became annual in 1909 with motorists being issued aluminum dashboard discs and still had to provide their own license plates.

1911 was the first year that the state began issuing license plates itself. The aluminum dashboard discs were also issued, matching the license plate number. The legislation authorizing the state issuance of license plates also provided for the registration and plating of motorcycles and issued special licenses and plates to mechanics and chauffeurs. Both plates and aluminum dashboard discs were issued annually.

By 1914, plates with letter prefixes (H, K, P, and R) were issued for the first time after reaching plate 99999 in order to keep the plates five characters. In 1916, the first six digit plates began to be issued. The next year, 1917, would be the final year of the issuance of the aluminum dashboard discs.

1920 marked the first year that plates were issued to different classes of vehicles. Only two general classes were specified, vehicles carrying less than seven people and those that carried more than seven people or carried freight. Trucks received their own special plate for the first time with a vertical "TRUCK" embossed onto the plate. Four years later, the first plates for trailers were issued.

Modern history

In 1956, the U.S. states and Canadian provinces came to an agreement with the Automobile Manufacturers Association that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles, except those for motorcycles, at six inches in height by twelve inches in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first Illinois license plate that complied with these standards.

Passenger baseplates 1911 to 1978

Image	First issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1911	Black on white	none	12345
	1912	White on black	none	12345
	1913	White screened serial number and border on dark blue base; "ILL 13" at far right	none	12345 A1234		2 versions of each 1913-19 plates shown one with slats (Front) and one without slats (Back)
	1914	Green embossed serial number and border on white base; "ILL 14" at far right	none	12345 A1234
	1915	Black embossed serial number and border on yellow base; "ILL 15" at far right	none	12345 A1234
	1916	Black embossed serial number and border on silver base; "ILL 16" at far right	none	123456	1 to approximately 249000
	1917	White embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILL 17" at far right	none	123456	1 to approximately 355000
	1918	Blue embossed serial number and border on gray base; "ILL 18" at far right	none	123456	1 to approximately 461000
	1919	White embossed serial number and border on brown base; "ILL 19" at far right	none	123456	1 to approximately 484000
	1920	Black embossed serial number and border on orange base; "ILL 20" at far right	none	123456	1 to approximately 494000
	1921	White embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILL 21" at far right	none	123456	1 to approximately 599000
	1922	Black embossed serial number and border on gray base; "ILL 22" at far right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 734-000
	1923	White embossed serial number and border on green base; "ILL 23" at far right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 866-000
	1924	Deep yellow embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILL 24" at far right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 972-000
	1925	White embossed serial number and border on brown base; "ILL 25" at far right	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-097-000
	1926	White embossed serial number and border on blue base; "ILL 26 at far right	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-134-000
	1927	Black embossed serial number and border on orange base; embossed state shape at far right containing debossed "ILL 27" in orange	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-249-000
	1928	White embossed serial number and border on maroon base; "ILL 28" at far right	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-313-000
	1929	Red embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILL 29" at far right	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-400-000
	1930	White embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILL 30" at far right	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-418-000
	1931	Black embossed serial number and border on light green base; "ILL 31" at far right	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-411-000
	1933	White embossed serial number and border on blue base; "ILL 33" at far right	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-277-000
	1934	Yellow embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILLINOIS-1934" at bottom	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-285-000
	1935	Blue embossed serial number and border on white base; "ILLINOIS-1935" at top	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-349-000
	1936	White embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILLINOIS-1936 at bottom	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-456-000
	1937	Black embossed serial number and border on yellow base; "19 ILLINOIS 37" at top	none	123-456 1-234-567	1 to approximately 1-569-000
	1938	White embossed serial number and border on green base; "ILLINOIS 38" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1589 000
	1939	Yellow embossed serial number and border on black base; "ILLINOIS 39" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1639 000
	1940	White embossed serial number and border on dark brown base; "ILLINOIS 1940" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1723 000
	1941	Black embossed serial number on yellow base; "ILLINOIS 1941" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1827 000
	1942	Yellow embossed serial number on black base; "ILLINOIS 1942" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1789 000
	1943	White lettering on green base; "ILLINOIS 43" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1639 000	Manufactured on soybean-based fiberboard due to metal conservation for World War II. Plates continued to be manufactured in this manner until 1948.
	1944	White lettering on brown base; "ILLINOIS 1944" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1515 000
	1945	Orange lettering on black base; "ILLINOIS 1945" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1513 000
	1946	White lettering on red base; "ILLINOIS 1946" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1610 000
	1947	Off-white lettering on green base; "ILLINOIS 1947" at top	none	123 456 1234-567	1 to approximately 1747-000
	1948	Black lettering on orange base; "ILLINOIS 1948" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 1949 000	Last fiberboard plate.
	1949	Off-white lettering on dark blue base; "ILLINOIS 1949" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2078 000
	1950	Black lettering on yellow base; "ILL 1950" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2287 000	First aluminum plate.
	1951	Maroon on unpainted aluminum; "ILL 1951" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2403 000
	1952	Blue lettering on orange base; "ILL 1952" at bottom	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2462 000
	1953	Red lettering on cream-colored base; "ILL 1953" at top	none	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2580 000	License plates placed under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of State.
	1954	White lettering on black base; "19 ILLINOIS 54" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2700 000	First use of the "Land of Lincoln" slogan.
	1955	Orange lettering on blue base; "19 ILLINOIS 55" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2849 000	Issued in the colors of the University of Illinois.
	1956	Black lettering on white base; "19 ILLINOIS 56" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 2980 000	First 6" x 12" plate.
	1957	White lettering on red base; "19 ILLINOIS 57" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 3075 000	Issued in the colors of Illinois State University, in honor of its centennial.
	1958	Purple lettering on white base; "19 ILLINOIS 58" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 3104 000	Issued in the colors of Northwestern University.
	1959	White lettering on brown base; "19 ILLINOIS 59" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 3224 000	Issued in the colors of Quincy College, in honor of its centennial.
	1960	Gold lettering on royal blue base; "19 ILLINOIS 60" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456 1234 567	1 to approximately 3307 000	Issued in the colors of Augustana College and Wheaton College, in honor of their respective centennials.
	1961	White lettering on red base; "19 ILLINOIS 61" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1000 to approximately NP 7000
	1962	White lettering on orange base; "19 ILLINOIS 62" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1000 to approximately PH 8000
	1963	Yellow lettering on dark green base; "19 ILLINOIS 63" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999	Issued in the colors of Moline-based Deere & Company, in honor of its 125th anniversary.
				AB 1234	AA 1000 to approximately RD 6000
	1964	White lettering on purple base; "19 ILLINOIS 64" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1000 to approximately SD 7000
	1965	Green lettering on white base; "19 ILLINOIS 65" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1000 to approximately VE 5000
	1966	Red lettering on reflective white base; "19 ILLINOIS 66" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999	First reflective plate.
				AB 1234	AA 1000 to approximately WG 3000
	1967	Black lettering on reflective white base; "19 ILLINOIS 67" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 100 to approximately VF 3000
	1968	Red lettering on reflective white base; "19 ILLINOIS 68" at bottom; "18" embossed in top corners	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999	Commemorated Illinois' 150 years of statehood.
				AB 1234	AA 1 to approximately SW 9000
	1969	Dark blue lettering on reflective orange base; "19 ILLINOIS 69" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1 to approximately TP 4000
	1970	Red on reflective yellow with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 70" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1 to approximately VF 8000
	1971	Black on reflective white with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 71" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1 to approximately VT 8000
	1972	Blue on reflective white with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 72" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456	1 to 999 999
				AB 1234	AA 1 to approximately WX 1000
	1973	Green lettering on reflective white with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 73" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456 AB 1234		Total license plates issued exceeds five million for the first time
	1974	Red lettering on reflective white with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 74" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	123 456 AB 1234		First ever license plates with three letters and three numbers; also, first handicapped plates issued
	1975	Black lettering on reflective yellow with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 75" at top	Land of Lincoln	123 456 AB 1234		Issued in the colors of Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc., in honor of its 50th anniversary.
	1976	Blue on reflective white with red and blue United States Bicentennial graphics	Land of Lincoln	AB 1234 various	? remakes of previously issued serials	Design chosen following a children's contest; the winner was 10-year-old Kelley Jordan of Normal, Illinois.
	1977	Green on reflective white; "19 ILLINOIS 77" at top	Land of Lincoln	AB 1234 various	? remakes of previously issued serials	Plates issued reach the six million mark
	1978	Black on reflective white with border line; "19 ILLINOIS 78" at bottom	Land of Lincoln	AB 1234 various	? remakes of previously issued serials	Last single-year plate, and last year that all license plates in the state expire on the same date.

Passenger baseplates 1979 to present

Image	First issued	Description	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1979	dark blue on reflective white	Land of Lincoln	ABC 123 various	? remakes of previously issued serials	First multi-year plate and first plate to be issued on a staggered schedule throughout the year. Colors selected to honor the sesquicentennial of Illinois College.
	1980	dark blue on reflective white	Land of Lincoln	ABC 123 various	? remakes of previously issued serials	First year the state allows residents to order vanity plates, maximum of six characters
	1983	dark blue on reflective white	Land of Lincoln	ABC 123 A 12 345 A 123 456 various	? ? ? remakes of previously issued serials
	1984	dark blue reflective white with light and dark blue stripes, screened dark blue state name	Land of Lincoln	ABC 123 A 12 345 A 123 456 various	? ? ? remakes of previously issued serials	First new plate design since introduction of multi-year tag. Plates made of steel, with "Land of Lincoln" restored to a more prominent, readable position. Vanity plates may now be ordered with up to seven characters
	1987	dark blue reflective white with light and dark blue stripes, screened dark blue state name.	Land of Lincoln	ABC 123 A 12 345 A 123 456 various	? ? Letters Used As First Character beginning around 1997: B, C, D, F, J, T, Y (up to Y65) remakes of previously issued serials	sticker size now 1 inch tall and 3 inches wide
File:2001 Illinois License Plate.jpg	2001	Reflective gradient white-to-blue fade with Abraham Lincoln portrait at center, state name screened in blue	Land of Lincoln	123 4567 A12 3456 AB1 2345	Remakes of previously issued serials. 100 0001 to 999 9999 Letters used as first character beginning in early to mid-2007: G, X, A, H, K, L, N, P, R, S, V, E, Y66-99, Z, and Q. 2 letters used as first characters followed by 5 numbers beginning in late 2016: ZX, ZY, ZZ (current).	First new plate design since 1984, design selected by a vote (in 2000) of the residents of Illinois, in which 230,000 persons participated. The letters M (municipal), U (utility), and W (disabled) are not used as prefixes on standard passenger plates.
	2017	Reflective gradient blue to white with Chicago and Springfield skyline, screened black state name, Abraham Lincoln portrait at far left.	Land of Lincoln	various	? remakes of previously issued serials	Remakes of previously issued serials on a rolling 10 year basis. Begins early 2017 with replacement of 2000 and 2001 plates

Non-passenger types

Image	Type	Design	Serial Format	Serials Issued	Notes
	1984 B Truck	Red reflective white with light and red stripes, screened red state name., B Truck vertical text on right	12 345, 123 456, 123 AB, 1234 AB	Various
File:Il2005btruck.jpg	2003 B Truck	Full reflective white with Abraham Lincoln portrait at center, state name screened in red, B Truck vertical text on right	1234 A, 12 345 A, 1234567 (current)	Various, remakes of previous issued serials

Special plates

Image	Type	Design	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Midwest Governor's Conference from 1987				Used for short period of time (30–60 days)
	LPGA optional issue from 1992				Used for short period of time (30–60 days)

External links

• Illinois Secretary of State License Plate Guide
• Illinois license plates 1969-present