(625 ILCS 5/3-401.5)

Sec. 3-401.5. Digital registration plates and renewals.

(a) The Secretary of State may authorize the issuance of a digital registration plate to a vehicle, in lieu of a set of static, metal registration plates, if the vehicle owner separately purchases the digital registration plate for a particular vehicle. The Secretary shall consult with law enforcement agencies when considering whether to approve the design of a digital license plate. The display device must allow for the automated image capture of letters and numbers during daytime and nighttime, including when the vehicle is parked or turned off. The Secretary shall work with the vehicle owner and the distributor of the digital registration plates to coordinate the appropriate plate image and registration expiration to appear on the digital registration plate. One metal plate shall still be issued to the vehicle owner for the front end of the vehicle.

(b) The Secretary, for any vehicle owner that purchases a digital registration plate, may electronically renew the digital registration plate upon receiving the appropriate renewal registration fee as set forth in this Code. The Secretary may also authorize the image to be suspended or revoked and replaced with an alternative image or blank screen upon violation of any provision of this Code or the failure to renew the digital registration plate.

(c) Before a digital registration plate may be issued in lieu of a special plate authorized under Article VI of this Chapter, the Secretary shall seek approval from the originating organization, when possible, to authorize a digital version of the static, metal plates issued to a vehicle owner.

(d) The owner of a digital registration plate is responsible for any costs associated with using the digital registration plate, including, but not limited to, the initial purchase price and any replacement costs.

(e) The Secretary of State may adopt any rules necessary to implement and develop a digital registration plate program, including rules regarding the images that may appear on digital registration plates.

(f) No image shall appear on a digital registration plate without prior approval of the Secretary of State.

(Source: P.A. 101-395, eff. 8-16-19.)