Lawmaker Suggests Selling Mini-Billboard Space On License Plates

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) –- Could Illinois end up leasing space on your license plate? One lawmaker thinks the idea is worth thinking about, given the state's budget problems.

The idea is to offer special corporate-sponsored plates. Drivers would get a discount on the price, and businesses would put their logos on the plates.

Lawmakers voted last month to have the secretary of state study the pros and cons of corporate plates. The study is supposed to be finished by Jan. 1

Texas already allows corporate plates, which are produced by a firm called My Plates. Spokeswoman Kim Drummond says they're like "little billboards" spreading a company's messages across the state.

Sen. John Mulroe of Chicago says he hopes the corporate plates will bring Illinois more money without raising taxes.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.