![](https://www.wjbc.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/389/2016/11/NEW-PLATE-630x420.jpg)
By WJBC Staff
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding vehicle owners to report license plates to the Secretary of State’s office that are peeling, chipping or rusting in order to receive replacement plates at no charge.
Vehicle owners whose license plates are damaged or degraded can notify the Secretary of State’s office by calling 800-252-8980 or visiting https://apps.ilsos.gov/defectiveplate/. A registration identification number and pin, found on the vehicle’s registration card, are required to report the degraded license plates, which will then be replaced at no cost to the vehicle owner or the state of Illinois.
“There are nearly 9 million passenger vehicle owners in Illinois,” said White. “When the license plates are unreadable, it poses a safety concern for the vehicle owner, other drivers and law enforcement.”
Owners are encouraged to recycle their old plates by taking them to a Secretary of State facility and disposing of them in the tamper-proof bin.
White also reminds vehicle owners that Illinois law requires a readable front and back plate be displayed and failure to display both plates can result in a $164 fine.
WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]