HB 1081 says the only exceptions will be special plates that recognize military service, a military medal or a military award. The remaining specialty plates – which numbered about 109 in total – will be under the umbrella of a single “universal special license plate” starting July 1, 2016.
Charitable organizations, which received funding from certain specialty license plates, will continue to get that funding from additional fees which may be added on to the usual fee for license plates.
All specialty license plates, allowed after July 1, 2016, will only be available after the state has received at least 2,000 applications for them. That’s a drop from the previous requirement of $10,000 applications for any specialty license plate.
The measure passed the Illinois Senate on August 19, and was approved by the House October 23, 2015; that's when Governor Rauner also signed it into law.