Opinion: Time to Remove Front License Plates in Illinois?

By James P. Economos, DDS, Opinion Contributor

Illinois has earned a national reputation for making questionable policy decisions. Too often, our state is cited as an example of what not to do in government.

Over the years, governors in neighboring Indiana and Wisconsin have even joked that one of the best things for their states is simply being next to Illinois – because our residents, businesses, and resources continue to flow across their borders.

The long list of failed Illinois policies is well documented and needs no repetition here. One small but sensible reform, however, deserves serious consideration: eliminating the requirement for front license plates.

Currently, 28 states require vehicles to display two license plates, while 22 require only a single rear plate. That balance should shift to 29-21. Washington, DC still requires two plates, but Utah wisely eliminated its front plate requirement in January 2025.

Illinois should follow suit.

Removing the front plate requirement would reduce costs and encourage economic activity. The most obvious benefit is efficiency. Producing only one plate instead of two would cut material costs roughly in half. Shipping expenses would drop due to reduced weight, and storage needs would also be significantly lower.

These savings may seem modest individually, but together they represent a clear opportunity to reduce overhead in a state desperately in need of fiscal discipline.

There is also a consumer-facing benefit. Many vehicle owners – particularly those with sports cars and higher-end models – find front plates unattractive and disruptive to vehicle design.

States that require only rear plates often see a thriving vanity plate market, as drivers are more inclined to personalize the single visible plate. This creates additional revenue streams for the state while giving residents more choice and flexibility.

At a time when Illinois is deeply divided on major political issues, this should be an easy one.

Reducing unnecessary costs, modernizing vehicle standards, and encouraging small but meaningful business activity ought to unite lawmakers across party lines.

Illinois should become a rear-license-plate-only state. It’s a simple reform, but one that reflects a broader commitment to efficiency, practicality, and common sense – qualities Illinois government could use more of.