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Jesse White Announces President Obama License Plate Available Nationwide
Approximately $40 of Temporary Special Event Plate Proceeds Benefit Illinois Libraries

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced today the President Barack Obama special event Illinois license plate is now available for purchase to everyone nationwide at www.ila.org/obama for $50 a pair.

The special event license plates, which read “Illinois Salutes President Barack Obama,” are unique commemorative plates that had been on sale from February 17th through April 17th during which time they could be displayed on Illinois motorists’ vehicles. Now anyone may purchase these plates to add to their Obama collections. These plates may no longer be displayed on a motor vehicle.

“These plates are excellent collector’s items that can be displayed in one’s home, office or den,” said White. “The added benefit to those purchasing this plate is the knowledge that they are helping libraries throughout Illinois.”

The President Barack Obama special event Illinois license plate has already sold more plates than any special event plate in Illinois history. More than 1,800 plates have been purchased since the plate was made available on February 17th. The previous high for an Illinois special event plate was just over 800.  

Approximately $40 of the proceeds will help support Illinois libraries. The additional $10 pays for plate production and shipping and handling. The Secretary of State’s office does not receive any money from the sale of this special event license plate.

“I am pleased that so many Illinois motorists have purchased the President Obama special event license plate and, in turn, are helping Illinois libraries,” said Secretary White. “Now non-motorists, as well as those living in other states, may purchase this commemorative license plate. With the current economic downturn, libraries are as important as ever. The money generated from the sale of these plates will go a long way to help our libraries serve their patrons.”

“The library community is extremely grateful that Jesse White recognizes the value libraries provide to their communities every day,” said ILA President Donna Dziedzic. “The ILA is delighted to partner with our State Librarian in this wonderful opportunity, and we are pleased that in just two months more than $70,000 has been generated from the Obama plate sales to help our libraries.”

The Special Event License Plate program was established in 1980. Special event license plates are a unique promotional device available to organizations by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office to promote various interests of Illinois citizens.  Upon approval by the Secretary of State’s Office, organizations may design license plates to be displayed on vehicles for sixty days.  For additional information on the Special Event License Plate program, visit the Secretary of State’s Web site at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

Labels: Barack Obama, Donna Dziedzic, Illinois Library Association, Jesse White, License Plate