Section 1010.454  Gold Star License Plates

a)         For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

            "Department" – Vehicle Services Department within the Office of the Secretary of State.

            "First Division Passenger Vehicles" – motor vehicles designed to carry not more than ten (10) persons as defined in Section 1-146 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 95 1/2, par. 1-146).

            "Second Division Motor Vehicles" – motor vehicles designed to carry more than ten (10) persons, those motor vehicles designed or used for living quarters, those motor vehicles which are designed for pulling or carrying freight, cargo or implements of husbandry, and those motor vehicles of the First Division remodeled for use and used as motor vehicles of the Second Division, as defined in Section 1-146 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

b)         Any resident of the State of Illinois who is the surviving spouse or parent (if there is no surviving spouse) of the person who lost his/her life while a member of the Armed Forces may apply for a Gold Star registration plate in accordance with Section 3-806.4 of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code.  These special registration plates shall only be issued for first division and second division vehicles weighing eight thousand (8,000) pounds or less.

c)         An applicant wishing to obtain Gold Star plates shall complete an affirmation form prescribed by the Secretary of State.  This affirmation form shall attest to the receipt of the Gold Star award and his/her status as eligible spouse or parent.  Applicants shall also submit a fifteen (15) dollar fee plus the statutory annual registration fee as specified in Section 3-806 of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The applicant shall also pay an additional two (2) dollar fee at each renewal.

d)         In order to obtain Gold Star plates:  

1)         if the present Illinois license plates expire within sixty (60) days, upon receipt of the preprinted renewal application, the applicant shall submit the renewal application, proper documentation as cited in subsection (c) of this rule, and the registration fee as specified in subsection (c) of this rule, or

2)         if the present plates do not expire within sixty (60) days, the applicant shall submit his/her current registration identification card and current registration plates as well as the verification required in subsection (c).  The applicant shall also pay a reclassification fee as provided in Section 3-802 of the Illinois Vehicle Title & Registration Law of the Illinois Vehicle Code plus the additional $15.00 fee as provided in subsection (c) of this rule.

e)         All applications and inquires regarding the Gold Star plates should be directed to the following:

            Office of the Secretary of State

            Non-Standard Plates Section

            Centennial Building, Room 539

            Springfield, Illinois 62756

(Source:  Added at 14 Ill. Reg. 19066, effective November 15, 1990)