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NASCAR Illinois license plates at step closer to reality

BY KURT ERICKSON, The Southern Springfield Bureau

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 5:40 PM CDT

SPRINGFIELD -- A plan to let motorists put NASCAR license plates on their cars zoomed out of the Illinois House Tuesday.

The proposal had spent the last year in the legislative repair shop after it failed to garner enough votes to move to the Senate for further debate.

State Rep. Bob Flider, who sponsored the legislation, said he tweaked the proposal in hopes of bringing in more money for state programs.

''We put the car in the pit stop… and retooled it,'' said Flider, D-Mount Zion.

The plates, which would cost $40 more than standard state tags, would join the more than 60 different specialty plates already offered by the Illinois Secretary of State's office.

Other specialty plates feature state universities, mammogram promotion and outdoor activities.

Key to winning approval was a change in how the added money is distributed. The plan would earmark at least $20 from each plate for vocational rehabilitation programs.

Flider sponsored the legislation because Decatur-based Macon Resources, a company that puts disabled residents to work in a variety of jobs, is located in his district.

Among other work, the company produces license plates for the state.

''It helps the economy of our area,'' Flider said.

If the measure is approved by the Senate and signed by the governor, Illinois would join several other states offering plates honoring the popular stock car racing circuit.

Motorists could pick plates featuring their favorite drivers, such as Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards.

Although Flider said he's not an avid race fan, he did say last year that his favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The legislation is House bill 946.