Remember the TV show Max headroom where there were TVs all over and people would vote instantly and the results broadcast. This sort of reminds me of that.
Michelle Flaherty
· 2 years ago
"Pay to play on steroids" has a nice catchy ring to it.
ArchPundit
· 2 years ago
Testicular Virility
Anonymous
· 2 years ago
That's easy. Land of Corruption.
Bill Baar
· 2 years ago
sorry, I was talking the lang e voting thing... too many windows open with the new IE browser
Jeff Trigg
· 2 years ago
Our Governors are bigger crooks than your Governors.
Leroy
· 2 years ago
Get In. Get yours. Get out.
VanillaMan
· 2 years ago
SOLD!
Common sense
· 2 years ago
Land of Victims
Just a Thoguht
· 2 years ago
Illinois
305 2494
It's not as Boring as you think
If it Walks Like a Duck...
· 2 years ago
"Our SOS Got Called on the Carpet"
Just a Thoguht
· 2 years ago
Or
CAPFAX ROCKS
Fire Ron Guenther
· 2 years ago
"Fire Ron Guenther"
"Rent our Governor's Mansion"
Fellow Dawg
· 2 years ago
YELLOW DOG
OneMan
· 2 years ago
Save Ferris Public Offical A Don't look at I didn't vote for him
Ron Burgundy
· 2 years ago
You could probably get 800 people easy for "Unindicted Co-Conspirator" plates.
Platitudinus
· 2 years ago
BUCK FLAGO
Snidely Whiplash
· 2 years ago
BUYAJOB1
clj
· 2 years ago
Getting Things Done For People...
Fan of the Game
· 2 years ago
ILLINOIS--Business Climate Nightmare
ZC
· 2 years ago
"Who Sent You?"
Siyotanka
· 2 years ago
BYTE ME
zatochi
· 2 years ago
Corruption Eruption
If it Walks Like a Duck...
· 2 years ago
"The State Where Governors Make License Plates"
So-Called "Austin Mayor"
· 2 years ago
"Legalize It."
I'll bet there'd be 800 plates sold by 4:20 this afternoon.
JBC
· 2 years ago
Ubi Est Mea?
VanillaMan
· 2 years ago
Chicago Pizza Rules!
QC Transplant
· 2 years ago
I believe that this poses an interesting question. Could there be a request for political candidates under this ruling such as an "Obama for President" plate. I'm sure there are 800 Illinoisians that would sign-up for this. To take it a step further, could there be an "Impeach the President" plate? I'm sure the ruling would not allow this type of speech but can someone explain where the line is of what is acceptable on a plate and what isn't under the ruling?
publius
· 2 years ago
VANITY PLATE
Arthur Andersen
· 2 years ago
Illinois:
Our Debt is Bigger than Yours!
More Crooks per Capita!
Lousy Roads, Pricey Gas!
NW burbs
· 2 years ago
Some great ideas already! Here're some practical ones: "Get off the damn phone" "Stop reading the paper" "Are you eating or driving" "If you can read this, get off my tail" "My SUV wastes more gas than your SUV" "Next time, walk. It's faster and healthier."
--
Seriously, though QC raises a good question. Wanna place bets on how long it takes before the whole goofy specialty plate thing gets shut down and we're all forced to use the same ol' boring decapitated Lincoln head plates with the girly state name?
Cops already hate these specialty plates as it is -- too hard to read the actual license number with all the other junk. This ruling is liable to make it worse.
If I'm reading the ruling right, it won't be long before the World Church of the Creator and Westboro Baptist come rumbling through wanting their own plate. Anybody can find 800 people that won't look at what they're signing.
Maybe some hippies ("evil liberals") can counter the "Choose Life" plates with "Have Sex" plates. That'd make for an interesting graphic.
Bridget can get "Bollywood Rocks" plates.
Clarify some history please: Is this all Rick Winkel's doing? Didn't he introduce the legislation for the university plates back in the day? (Did Illinois have any specialty plates before that?)
Welcome to a Pandora's Box of License Plates.
paddyrollingstone
· 2 years ago
"Ubi Est Mea?" (courtesy of Mike Royko)
Taylor Street
· 2 years ago
"I got a guy..." or GO BEARS!
Ron Burgundy
· 2 years ago
The environmental plates and I'm pretty sure the domestic violence plates predate the university plates. Also, there were a large number of veterans and firefighter plates before that. And let's not forget the politician plates...
Citizen A
· 2 years ago
Don't Blame Me I Voted Republican !
Ron Burgundy
· 2 years ago
Not domestic violence, I mean violence prevention... I knew it was something about violence and it being bad. The blue and purple plates with the bird on it.
Squideshi
· 2 years ago
I'm sure that we will see plates for all three statewide established political parties in Illinois and perhaps also plates for a few new parties.
Pat Hickey
· 2 years ago
A LINKON WARD HACK
cermak_rd
· 2 years ago
Chicago, crossroads of America
I believe another reason the police hate these plates is that with the various color schemes etc. it becomes difficult for people to tell which state the plate is from as opposed to being able to say it was white with green lettering and an orange on it, which would immediately clue the police in that it was an out of state plate instead of first having to make sure IL doesn't have any specialty plates with that design).
zatoichi
· 2 years ago
Let's get real.
Skeeter
· 2 years ago
The posts above show how ridiculous the entire plan is.
"Disabled Vets" should get plates (beats putting a placard in the window and they deserve the respect), but the rest of them are ridiculous.
The system won't be abolished of course. What is the point of winning an election unless you get your special plate?
Pat Hickey
· 2 years ago
SKEET R BYTES?
Robbie
· 2 years ago
Can the whole program. Why do license plates need to be fashion statements? If you are proud of being a firefighter/veteran/environmentalist buy a bumper sticker. As many have mentioned above, it will quickly spiral out of control when Fred Phelps gets his 'thank god for dead soldiers' plate. Because as soon as you deny him you draw a line that becomes discriminatory. Aside from the extra income the State gets from jacking the price way up, I see no benefit to the program for any of the parties involved.
Skeeter
· 2 years ago
Pat Hickey - Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:41 pm:
"SKEET R BYTES?"
In response:
I cannot believe you would accept that from your students, Pat. I remember when people from Catholic schools had standards.
It should read "Skeeter Bites."
If you are going to make the statement, do it right.
Pat Hickey
· 2 years ago
Compound Noun or Simple Declarative?
The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers P
· 2 years ago
BRKN HRT
Belle
· 2 years ago
Can the program. Why not just have license plate holders with your fashion statement? But if we must have them how about 'Ill in Illinois'; Was Illinois First-Now Last In Line; Screwed Outside Chicago; or in Chicago - Lincoln Who?.....or Illinois-Proud Career Center of Patrick Fitzgerald
Anon
· 2 years ago
I think I will be able to get 800 to sign up for a Howard Stern plate. We will put his face on it and support abortion.
fedup dem
· 2 years ago
"Our federal judges are nuts!"
M.V.
· 2 years ago
I don't know what I'd want mine to say, but I do know I want George Ryan to make it
can't imagine
· 2 years ago
" I owe how much??"
made in Illinois by EX Gov Rod Blago
1047
· 2 years ago
"I moved to Illinois and all I got was this lousy license plate"
Pro-Gunner
· 2 years ago
CCW NOW
anon
· 2 years ago
"This space for Sale or Lease"
Citizen A
· 2 years ago
Illinois Where Politicians are Leased Not Bought !
JimMc
· 2 years ago
Possible reason they will eventually be done away with: killers from IL will go on a multi-state killing spree and it will take forever to track them down. Out of state authorities will blame obscured plate numbers on the killers' specialty plates (see the education plates). You laugh, but I've already heard similar excuses.
Until then, more stupid plate ideas: Blind Peoples' Foundation Amputees Alliance Favorite Beer logo (Bud Light, Lite, etc.) Nudist Club Narcolepsy Sufferers
phocion
· 2 years ago
"Choose Spite"
Commonsense in Illinois
· 2 years ago
I can't believe nobody said, "Cap Fax Reader"
VanillaMan
· 2 years ago
Thanks Eric, Now we are going from "Choose Life" to hate speech? Gee, we GOTTA keep this slogan off our roads or soon we'll see license plates for the KKK? Well, let's just call the whole thing off then, OK?
Whenever we have a suggestion for a new license plate, we can contact Planned Parenthood for their approval. Lord knows we don't want to offend anyone out there who supports - what is that - oh yeah - CHOICE. When it comes to license plates - sorry, NO CHOICES allowed because the pro-Choice people will not allow it.
Lets forget about that old First Amendment. If we can label something as "hate speech" then we flush our rights. We don't need rights - we need happy, peppy people who smile a great deal.
You silly, silly, people! What you won't do to stop "Choose Life" from appearing on license plates!
"Choose Life" - Who would have thought it was hate speech?
Rep. John Fritchey
· 2 years ago
The answer may be a variation of something that has been previously proposed. The thought is that you offer a 'specialty-ready' plate at a fee similar to the other specialty plates.
The plates would have a blank portion on the left to which the registrant could affix any pre-approved design of their choosing.
For tracking purposes, the plates could bear 'SR' (specialty-ready) vertically on the right side just as is done with specialty plates today.
Easier to track than 100 (or more) new types of plates, more cost efficient, just a thought.
Eric Rudolph's Victims
· 2 years ago
There have been more acts of domestic terrorism by the "pro-life" people than by Muslim extremists.
If you want to avoid being linked to hate groups, then stop shooting people and stop blowing things up.
Citizen A
· 2 years ago
Illinois We'll Do Anything For Money - Just Look At Our Lousy License Plates !
Beowulf
· 2 years ago
I think Specialty Plates could easily be eliminated and no one would really miss them. Who came up with the idea for Specialty Plates anyway? Why did the State of Illinois decide to have them in the first place? For additional revenue? State employees seem to be overwhelmed as it is in getting their day-to-day tasks taken care of efficiently and correctly down in Springfield without giving them additional burdens to monitor and take care of. How many state employees could we let go of and get off of our state's overburdened payroll if we eliminated Specialty Plates? It would also seem to eliminate some additional legal concerns that have surfaced if we got rid of them. The whole concept of offering Specialty Plates in Illinois perhaps needs to be revisited.
Anon
· 2 years ago
Because the First Amendment Says I can.
Boone Logan Square
· 2 years ago
Just because I am curious what the courts would say about it:
"Obama for President"
Pat Hickey
· 2 years ago
Eric Rudolph's Victin says that,
'There have been more acts of domestic terrorism by the “pro-life†people than by Muslim extremists.'
The damn Pro-Lifers killed more than 2,752 folks here in the States?
Man, Planned Parenthood sure has some accurate body counters beating their gums for them - I got to read papers more closely. Lovely folks, entirely; almost as sweet and good natured as the Pro-Life bullhorn set.
Logical
· 2 years ago
Illinois-Land of the Blue IWRK 4 TXS Viagra or Democrats-Enjoy the Shaft
Dooley Dudright
· 2 years ago
Ugh. This is going to end up exactly like the 87,432 "honorary" street signs in the City of Chicago: cute idea that morphs into nuisance and then into menace. (Imaginary caller to 911 Center: "There's a four car accident with injuries at the corner of Western and Honorary Herbert Hoover Way!")
Ditto vanity plates. Oh, for joy: we've reeled in three gazillionths of one percent in "revenue enhancement". Well, we squandered all that money on just this lawsuit, didn't we?
What to do? Phase out the special plates programs completely -- at a net loss, of course -- and go back to all "regular" plates. It's the only practical way to moot the effect of the court decision.
steve schnorf
· 2 years ago
Sew and Reap
Mike Williams
· 2 years ago
Illinois--State of the Ruling Families. 21st Century Royality.
Fan of the Game
· 2 years ago
The problem is the State of Illinois, by issuing any specialty plates, has created a limited open forum, and it must open that forum to anyone who wants. The state can put stipulations on that forum, and often recognized hate groups like the KKK are not guaranteed participation.
However, other groups can pretty much have their way with the plates.
ILLINOIS--Your Blue-Light Special
Yellow Dog Democrat
· 2 years ago
More likely, some smart pro-choice lawmaker will introduce a bill creating a "Choose Life" license plate and funneling the money ito stem cell research.
Anon
· 2 years ago
Retired Senate
So that I, too, can park for free anywhere I want to in the Loop on a weekday.
Shallow Pharnyx
· 2 years ago
Go Yellow Dog!
Roe v Wade 4ever
Unindicted Co-conspirator
· 2 years ago
Illinois-Bribetaking Capitol of the Universe
Rayne of Terror
· 2 years ago
I think with a limited forum on a license plate the content has to be neutral, be of significant interest, and have an adequate alternative. So where "Choose Life" is arguably all three of the above, they'll have to worry about viewpoint suppression when they turn down other phrases.
Blashkonozi
· 2 years ago
The Cheapskate State
Squideshi
· 2 years ago
It might not be a bad idea to allow KKK plates. At least we would then all know exactly who they are (Normally, they're wearing hoods and are anonymous.) I can't imagine that they wouldn't suffer occasional damage to their cars.
As far as Nazis go, it doesn't seem too unrealistic that they too might want specialized license plates. Wasn't the American Nazi Party once headquartered up in Maquette Park?
In any case, what's likely to happen is that there will be so many specialized plates that these fringe messages will get lost in a sea of other messages; and besides, if they really wanted, they could already just put on a bumper or window sticker. As long as they're paying for it.
B Hicks
· 2 years ago
We're on a mission from God!
John
· 2 years ago
Put it on the board, YES!
Go White Sox!
Cal Skinner
· 2 years ago
How about a "Choice" plate?
Seriously.
Let's have a contest and see who can sell more.
Disgusted
· 2 years ago
"Support menopause, buy her a gun!"
Jill Stanek
· 2 years ago
It's funny that specialty plates have been in existence in IL since 1932 - 70+ years - and it is only when the violent, hateful message, "Choose Life," is proposed that we begin to worry about confused police and crazy plates to follow.
"Choose Life" was not the first IL plate that makes a supposed political statement. We already have the environmental, duck hunting, and union plates, for example.
In answer to the question posed by more than one, "Who started this?", it was the IL General Assembly that ushered in the concept by designing plates for its own members, which they still have today.
gus bode
· 2 years ago
Where Government gives it to the people
The Horse
· 2 years ago
Why do we even need licence plates? Just paint your trunk with whatever message you want .... duh
Choose Life has had a consistent 40,000 or so on the road each year, so thats probably comparable in a rough sense. Rank is #8, that's what would irk the opponents the most, you would see these things everywhere.
Some interesting #'s: The "Impact Eternity" message on Clearwater Christian College(a fundamentalist christian organization), which has about 90 tags on the road.(the bottom of the list) "Family Values", that sure sounds political!! "Homeownership for all", that sounds communist!! "Kids deserve Justice", reeks political, ala UN-types. "Boy Scouts of America", a establisment clause violator there Tons of environmental stuff there, "support education" thinly veiled politics all.
But who does it hurt? Give me a break Law Enforcement people. If you are calling out a APB on a white camaro, a unique tag should help find the offender quicker than a generic.
I did an essay application to the Hon George Ryan college summer republican intern program in the early 90's suggesting such a program, and cited the great success of the Florida progam, encouraging the future governor to use such a program to gain popularity for future office. I didn't get the job, but I think I called George a political animal or something like that, should have kept a copy.
More tags for all!!(I have a Pet Friendly and my wife formerly had an Illinois State(old version with the little numbers even), so I wholly support expansion of this program.
'The Horse' stole my thunder i.e. the silly car magnets as if such silly frippery would influence any thinking person. The magnets are beginning to fade like the yellow ribbons of yore which continued to flap in shreds on trees long after their purpose was forgotten. Bandwagon car magnet displayers/license plate preachers = go away and shut up.
All Comments
305 2494
It's not as Boring as you think
CAPFAX ROCKS
"Rent our Governor's Mansion"
Public Offical A
Don't look at I didn't vote for him
I'll bet there'd be 800 plates sold by 4:20 this afternoon.
Our Debt is Bigger than Yours!
More Crooks per Capita!
Lousy Roads, Pricey Gas!
"Get off the damn phone"
"Stop reading the paper"
"Are you eating or driving"
"If you can read this, get off my tail"
"My SUV wastes more gas than your SUV"
"Next time, walk. It's faster and healthier."
--
Seriously, though QC raises a good question. Wanna place bets on how long it takes before the whole goofy specialty plate thing gets shut down and we're all forced to use the same ol' boring decapitated Lincoln head plates with the girly state name?
Cops already hate these specialty plates as it is -- too hard to read the actual license number with all the other junk. This ruling is liable to make it worse.
If I'm reading the ruling right, it won't be long before the World Church of the Creator and Westboro Baptist come rumbling through wanting their own plate. Anybody can find 800 people that won't look at what they're signing.
Maybe some hippies ("evil liberals") can counter the "Choose Life" plates with "Have Sex" plates. That'd make for an interesting graphic.
Bridget can get "Bollywood Rocks" plates.
Clarify some history please: Is this all Rick Winkel's doing? Didn't he introduce the legislation for the university plates back in the day? (Did Illinois have any specialty plates before that?)
Welcome to a Pandora's Box of License Plates.
I believe another reason the police hate these plates is that with the various color schemes etc. it becomes difficult for people to tell which state the plate is from as opposed to being able to say it was white with green lettering and an orange on it, which would immediately clue the police in that it was an out of state plate instead of first having to make sure IL doesn't have any specialty plates with that design).
"Disabled Vets" should get plates (beats putting a placard in the window and they deserve the respect), but the rest of them are ridiculous.
The system won't be abolished of course. What is the point of winning an election unless you get your special plate?
"SKEET R BYTES?"
In response:
I cannot believe you would accept that from your students, Pat. I remember when people from Catholic schools had standards.
It should read "Skeeter Bites."
If you are going to make the statement, do it right.
Illinois-Proud Career Center of Patrick Fitzgerald
made in Illinois by EX Gov Rod Blago
Until then, more stupid plate ideas:
Blind Peoples' Foundation
Amputees Alliance
Favorite Beer logo (Bud Light, Lite, etc.)
Nudist Club
Narcolepsy Sufferers
Now we are going from "Choose Life" to hate speech? Gee, we GOTTA keep this slogan off our roads or soon we'll see license plates for the KKK? Well, let's just call the whole thing off then, OK?
Whenever we have a suggestion for a new license plate, we can contact Planned Parenthood for their approval. Lord knows we don't want to offend anyone out there who supports - what is that - oh yeah - CHOICE. When it comes to license plates - sorry, NO CHOICES allowed because the pro-Choice people will not allow it.
Lets forget about that old First Amendment. If we can label something as "hate speech" then we flush our rights. We don't need rights - we need happy, peppy people who smile a great deal.
You silly, silly, people! What you won't do to stop "Choose Life" from appearing on license plates!
"Choose Life" - Who would have thought it was hate speech?
The plates would have a blank portion on the left to which the registrant could affix any pre-approved design of their choosing.
For tracking purposes, the plates could bear 'SR' (specialty-ready) vertically on the right side just as is done with specialty plates today.
Easier to track than 100 (or more) new types of plates, more cost efficient, just a thought.
If you want to avoid being linked to hate groups, then stop shooting people and stop blowing things up.
"Obama for President"
'There have been more acts of domestic terrorism by the “pro-life†people than by Muslim extremists.'
The damn Pro-Lifers killed more than 2,752 folks here in the States?
Man, Planned Parenthood sure has some accurate body counters beating their gums for them - I got to read papers more closely. Lovely folks, entirely; almost as sweet and good natured as the Pro-Life bullhorn set.
IWRK 4 TXS
Viagra or Democrats-Enjoy the Shaft
Ditto vanity plates. Oh, for joy: we've reeled in three gazillionths of one percent in "revenue enhancement". Well, we squandered all that money on just this lawsuit, didn't we?
What to do? Phase out the special plates programs completely -- at a net loss, of course -- and go back to all "regular" plates. It's the only practical way to moot the effect of the court decision.
However, other groups can pretty much have their way with the plates.
ILLINOIS--Your Blue-Light Special
So that I, too, can park for free anywhere I want to in the Loop on a weekday.
Roe v Wade 4ever
As far as Nazis go, it doesn't seem too unrealistic that they too might want specialized license plates. Wasn't the American Nazi Party once headquartered up in Maquette Park?
In any case, what's likely to happen is that there will be so many specialized plates that these fringe messages will get lost in a sea of other messages; and besides, if they really wanted, they could already just put on a bumper or window sticker. As long as they're paying for it.
Go White Sox!
Seriously.
Let's have a contest and see who can sell more.
"Choose Life" was not the first IL plate that makes a supposed political statement. We already have the environmental, duck hunting, and union plates, for example.
In answer to the question posed by more than one, "Who started this?", it was the IL General Assembly that ushered in the concept by designing plates for its own members, which they still have today.
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/specialtytags/tagsa...
Choose Life has had a consistent 40,000 or so on the road each year, so thats probably comparable in a rough sense. Rank is #8, that's what would irk the opponents the most, you would see these things everywhere.
Some interesting #'s:
The "Impact Eternity" message on Clearwater Christian College(a fundamentalist christian organization), which has about 90 tags on the road.(the bottom of the list)
"Family Values", that sure sounds political!!
"Homeownership for all", that sounds communist!!
"Kids deserve Justice", reeks political, ala UN-types.
"Boy Scouts of America", a establisment clause violator there
Tons of environmental stuff there, "support education" thinly veiled politics all.
But who does it hurt? Give me a break Law Enforcement people. If you are calling out a APB on a white camaro, a unique tag should help find the offender quicker than a generic.
I did an essay application to the Hon George Ryan college summer republican intern program in the early 90's suggesting such a program, and cited the great success of the Florida progam, encouraging the future governor to use such a program to gain popularity for future office. I didn't get the job, but I think I called George a political animal or something like that, should have kept a copy.
More tags for all!!(I have a Pet Friendly and my wife formerly had an Illinois State(old version with the little numbers even), so I wholly support expansion of this program.
http://www3.hsmv.state.fl.us/Intranet/dmv/speci...