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Anxious because you haven’t bought anything for your Obamabilia collection in a while? Never fear -- starting Tuesday you can add limited-time license plates bearing the president’s grin to your pile of Obama-emblazoned T-shirts, buttons and key chains. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White unveiled on Friday the $50-a-pair “Illinois Salutes Barack Obama” special-event license plates, which celebrate the “Land of Lincoln’s” connection with the 44th president of the U.S.
The plates are valid on autos until April 17 - at which point they must be removed. Only auto-owners in the state of Illinois may purchase the plates for the first 60 days, but others are free to purchase them as souvenirs after that. About $40 from every pair of plates purchased will benefit the summer reading program at the Illinois Library Association, which is selling the collector’s items on its Web site. Buyers can take a $35 tax deduction for the contribution. The plates will also be on sale at the Chicago Auto Show until Feb. 21.
The special-event license-plate program began in 1980 as a way for organizations to promote special interests, according to a press release from White’s office. An organization may design plates to be displayed on vehicles for 60 days only upon approval by the secretary of state’s office.
Post/Kalyn Belsha
Photo/Illinois Library Association
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All of these different license plates really piss me off. I remember when I was a kid each state had one style and everybody got it. Now there are 50 different plates from each of the 50 states. The purpose of a plate is to identify the car, likely in the commission of a crime not show your love of teddy bears or the great outdoors. Now with the state name obscured by the vanity plate surround and no standard colors I have no idea what state the guy is from who just fled the scene after hitting a pedestrian. If you care so much about an organization give them the 50 bucks directly and put a bumper sticker on your car.
I was always under the impression that the government could not make products which support a political leader currently in office. This was because in theory, the government is supposed to remain neutral and not make things which support a candidate, lessening the chance of the USA looking like Pyongyang, Havana, etc....
The reality is, based solely on the items, these are not that much different than a Fidel Castro statue or Kim Jong-Il poster. Of course, in comparison to everything else the US is obviously far different.
The difference here is that Obama didn't ask for the plate. A library group is looking to raise money by exploiting the image of the president, likely without his knowledge. While this plate annoys me for other reasons what you mention is more like the gratuitous name plastering that Blagovjvech, Daley and Stroger find so necessary. I'm waiting to see if Quinn goes down the same road as his predecessor.