The Tribune editorial “Wrong way to pay for new plates” (April 10) had the wrong answer. It suggests that the $48 annual license-plate fee should be raised to pay for new license plates. I say: No way!
I have been paying $48 per year for license plates for the last 14 years. That is a plate fee, not a tax on my vehicle or a road tax. The state has failed to issue new plates for 13 years. I want my money back.
The Illinois State Police claim that two license plates are needed on vehicles in Illinois to help them with their law-enforcement activities. I think that the legislature should tell them that there is no money for two plates and only a rear plate will be issued. Approximately one-third of all states only require one plate. What do the police in those states know that the Illinois police don’t? The fact is, we do not have the money to issue two license plates. (We should, since I have sent in $48 for the last 14 years.)
The time is now for the state to take the $48 we pay, use it to issue every vehicle owner a new, colorful plate for the rear of the vehicle and reissue it every five years.
