Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives

Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Next Post: Education reform roundup

Question of the day

Posted in:

* Drudge ran this headline yesterday…

The link led to an equally snarky AP story…

Illinois is so hard up for money that it’s studying the possibility of selling ads on state license plates.

Yes, woe is us. We are certainly one of a kind in our hopelessness. Or are we? From last year…

Texas became the first to sell corporate license plates last November, says Kim Drummond, spokeswoman for My Plates, which produces the plates for the state. Legislators in Illinois and Florida have proposed similar programs, and Virginia is looking at a program of special plates for business fleets registered in the state.

An example…

That Texas sponsor would be Freeb!rds World Burrito, in case you’re wondering.

* The Question: What corporations should sponsor Illinois license plates? Explain. And snark is, of course, highly encouraged.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:45 am

Comments

  1. Stand for Children; because they have enough dough to do it.

    Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:53 am

  2. If people want advertising on their plates for a cheaper overall price, then that’s fine with me. If, of course, that’s would be the plan in Illinois, then I’m fine with that as long as as advertising supported license plates must conform to the standards of other types of personalized plates. Heck, if it brings in some revenue why not have the Illinois State Capitol brought to you by State Farm and United? I guess that just gets back to politicians wearing suits like NASCAR drivers.

    Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 5:40 am

  3. Oops, misread the question.

    I’m sure Wisconsin, Indiana, and New Jersey would love to sponsor “Bring your business here!” license plates with their names plastered all over the place.

    Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 5:42 am

  4. Jesse White, Secretary of State

    It’s the only vehicle thing his name isn’t plastered all over.

    We can use public dollars to do it, of course

    Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 6:11 am

  5. Mereck or any large pharma corporation, since the reported side affects tend to be the same I get after watching a Cubs game and hoping the next one will cure my ills…

    Comment by Capt. Illini Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 6:44 am

  6. Heck, I wouldn’t care if they sold naming rights for expressways.

    Comment by Nice kid Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 6:54 am

  7. Friends of Michael Madigan. The Plate should read:

    Madigan. Because I already own the place.

    Comment by bored now Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 6:54 am

  8. How about AIG, GM, or any other failed company that has had to be backed by the U S Government? An outfit that has gone bust would be perfect as our corporate image, and we could take the whole country down with us.

    Comment by aufjunk Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 7:00 am

  9. JELLO, for all our state political willpower

    Comment by Hank Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 7:22 am

  10. What about the Law Offices of….(fill in the blank) specializing in Bankruptcy…we will keep collectors off the your (or the state’s) back.

    Comment by DoubleD Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 7:42 am

  11. McDonald’s with an image of the Golden Arches (left) and the saying: Illinois (top center) and Freakin Golden! (bottom center)

    Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 7:45 am

  12. What you lookin’ at? — Chicago Outfit

    Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 7:55 am

  13. My suggestion: Brinks (or any similar enterprise.)

    Emblazoned across the bottom of the plate: “Official armored car company of the State of Illinois.”

    Qualifying notation along the side: “Warning: driver carries no cash.”

    Comment by Dooley Dudright Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:02 am

  14. Casino companies would be an obvious one.

    Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:07 am

  15. The State of Illinois is announcing a new program whereby if you are the largest donor to any state legislator and/or elected official you get to put your logo on their legislative/executive plate for an additional $5,000
    or you can put someone else logo on it for $10,000

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:11 am

  16. Well of course it would have to be:

    Capitolfax.com

    Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:12 am

  17. Pat Quinn

    This car is as lost as I am.

    Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:12 am

  18. “We Buy Gold”
    “Quicken Loans”
    “Checks Into Cash”
    “Reverse Mortgages”
    “Advance Structured Settlements”
    “Binder and Binder Law Firm”
    “Madoff Investments & Accounting”

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:18 am

  19. “Best Buy” but only for legislative plates.

    Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:21 am

  20. Working with High Tech Partner Groupon, Illinois will be the first state to offer the Groupon plate, using WIFI and GPS built into the plate, it will show local deals near where the plate is at any given time.

    (c) 2011 OneMan

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:24 am

  21. The American Tailgating Association

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:24 am

  22. If you can’t read this plate visit Pearl Vision

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:25 am

  23. Did I get deleted?

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:26 am

  24. Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago. They love privatizing government and here is there big chance to pony up!

    Comment by Peter Snarker Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:29 am

  25. Instead of plates, we could sell the naming rights for the state, like with stadium deals. We could become “Pepsi Illinois” or “Illinois - brought to you by Nike.”

    Comment by fisher Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:30 am

  26. Huggies

    Change you can believe in

    Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:31 am

  27. Payday Loans: sacrificing your future to live beyond your means today.

    or, because I can’t resist– Argonne National Labratory: proud resident of the land of the quantum budget.

    Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:32 am

  28. Enron: Overborrowing our way to bankruptcy and sending our leaders to jail.

    Comment by Old Milwaukee Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:34 am

  29. Utilizing unique concepts of Sovereign Immunity Illinois offers your corporation or organization to put the name of other entities on Illinois license plates and other state entities.

    Please note these plates can be targets by owner in terms of age of car, age of registrant, location, car make and model, etc.

    For example for males aged 16~25 you could put a message such as ‘Sex Panther Aftershave does not attract women’

    Imagine the possibilities.

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:36 am

  30. Scott Cohen
    Illinois Pawn Star

    Comment by waitress practing politics... Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:37 am

  31. “FREE BLAGO” - no wait he’s broke bur maybe the pistachio folks will back him.

    Comment by Kerfuffle Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:40 am

  32. Exelon — If we leave, the lights really go off.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:41 am

  33. Lots of possibilities with this one.

    Land of Lincoln Towing.

    ADM: See those amber waves of grain? It all belongs to us.

    Allstate: Mayhem is all around you. Seriously, take a look around you.

    The Prairie Materials State.

    Abbott Labs: Taking the ill out of Illinois.

    Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:43 am

  34. Health Alliance - Maybe We’ll Try Auto Insurance

    Comment by Joe from Joliet Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:44 am

  35. You would pay lower taxes if this plate said Indiana…

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:46 am

  36. Jimmy John’s - “Come leave IL with me”

    Comment by Davey Boy Smith Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:46 am

  37. Illinois Casinos

    We’re here, we’re there, we’re everywhere - So beware

    Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:50 am

  38. Roto-Rooter as a nod to taxpayers everywhere…

    Comment by Jake From Elwood Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:50 am

  39. All the state’s dedicated funds. Instead of being swept, they can just buy advertising.

    Comment by Pat Robertson Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:51 am

  40. Sears, Motorola, and the CME because they own us…

    Comment by Bring Back Boone's Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:51 am

  41. United Airlines

    Fly the Friendly Skies (luggage extra)

    Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:51 am

  42. John Deere: Nothing runs like a Deere, espcially Illinois

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:53 am

  43. Greyhound - for people who want to escape the high taxes.

    Comment by Behind The Scenes Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:56 am

  44. Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association

    President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center

    Argosy Gaming

    New Frontier Companies

    Commonwealth Realty Advisors

    Rezmar

    What? Whatta you looking at?

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:56 am

  45. Hooters. Because a picture of that license plate would end up on a mail piece against every legislator who votes for this nonsense.

    Comment by TwoFeetThick Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:57 am

  46. Caterpillar We get paid to stay, why are you here?

    Comment by Casual Observer Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:58 am

  47. Screw These Guys (top)
    Children’s Memorial Hospital (bottom)

    Comment by North of I-80 Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 8:59 am

  48. Pepto Bismol

    Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:01 am

  49. Peter Francis Geraci - Largest Bankruptcy Firm in USA.

    “We’ll protect your interests and bail out the state at the same time!”

    Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:04 am

  50. Sponsored by the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons — our best customers come from Illinois.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:05 am

  51. Yuris gymnastic academy. ” we can teach you to flip flop like Pat Quinn”

    Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:05 am

  52. Wensicia wins!

    Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:05 am

  53. How about a nice ad from a bail bondsman?

    Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:12 am

  54. The Illinois Medical Society…bringing you the best legislators money can buy

    Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:17 am

  55. Trojan

    Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:20 am

  56. should had added “no explanation needed”

    Comment by Retired Non-Union Guy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:22 am

  57. Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

    Comment by vibes Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:22 am

  58. Chicago Cubs/Ricketts family - “Hey Hey, we sponsored the license plates! Can the state throw us some money now?”

    Comment by Robert Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:25 am

  59. U-Haul

    Comment by so... Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:26 am

  60. Amazon - We won’t tax you!

    Comment by JellyBean Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:30 am

  61. Mad Magazine - “What, me worry?”

    Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:35 am

  62. Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association

    Argosy Gaming

    Commonwealth Realty Advisors

    New Frontier Companies

    Rezmar

    Winston and Strawn

    Daley & George, Ltd.

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:39 am

  63. What is needed is the James Bond rotating license plates or NBA sideline ads that change based on your needs or fashion sense. ‘Go Sox’, UofI Blue/Orange, and something DNR. 3 plates (same ID just different designs) = extra charges = extra sponsorship options = extra income. Why stop at plates. Magnetic door ads and giant decals. My car is available. Works for buses. F’n golden.

    Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:41 am

  64. I’ll be first in line for my “Go Daddy” license plate!

    Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:52 am

  65. Southwest Airlines
    “Wanna get away”

    Comment by ANON Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:52 am

  66. This State brought to you by MJM.

    Comment by mokenavince Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:53 am

  67. Illinois, brought to you by China

    We already own a bunch of federal debt, figured we’d buy a state too.

    Related note: I have no problem with the concept if and only if it reduces the amount I pay. If they were to put advertising on there, take all the money and I still have to pay the same amount, then I’m taking my anger out at the ballot box….where it won’t matter.

    Comment by Thoughts... Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:54 am

  68. Illinois Correctional Industries

    Convicted to Produce the Best

    Comment by one day at a time Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:57 am

  69. Peter Francis Geraci - get out of debt fast!

    Comment by Edge of the 14th Ward Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 9:58 am

  70. “Mike Madigan Clouted My Kid Into U of I, and All I Got Was This Lousy License Plate”

    Comment by The End Is Near Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:06 am

  71. Illinois

    Home to Wisconsin Democrats

    Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:06 am

  72. McDonald’s home of the “f*ing Golden Arches”

    Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:06 am

  73. Amex Blue: Illinois politicians are blue- so your bank account can be red.

    Comment by Statesman Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:06 am

  74. … Just charge it- Your Senator did!

    Comment by Statesman Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:07 am

  75. Valtrex.

    Helping lessen the effect of those irritating budget deficits so Illinois can lead a normal life.

    Comment by Bill F. Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:09 am

  76. Jimmy John’s - except Illinois is crossed out and says Florida beneath it.

    Comment by lollinois Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:23 am

  77. Chico’s Bail Bonds

    Comment by Frank Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:26 am

  78. The Federal Bureau of Prisons

    “Protecting Society & Reducing Crime one Illinois Governor at a Time”

    Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:29 am

  79. Interesting variation… What if you could pay to put an image (that would be approved) of your choosing on the plate (like they do with credit cards)

    Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:41 am

  80. ExxonMobil. “Because it’s faster to drive”

    Comment by KeepSmiling Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:43 am

  81. Can partnerships advertise on license plates? If they can: I’d like to see Klafter and Burke advertise or Mike Madigan’s law firm. Here would be a catchy slogan for Land of Lincoln plates: ” You can’t hide, pay up one way or another.”

    Comment by Steve Bartin Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:00 am

  82. Political candidates should be allowed to advertise. God that would be fun.

    Comment by Lady GaGa Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:01 am

  83. I think in the Southern 19 counties you would see mostly Missouri and Kentucky gas stations advertising.

    Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:09 am

  84. Kohler toilets. “Illinois - where everything goes down the drain”.

    Comment by Jechislo Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:43 am

  85. How about Netflix ads?!

    Comment by ah-HA Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:54 am

  86. Frank-
    Wonder how many commenters got your cinematic reference. Well played.

    Comment by Jake From Elwood Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 12:00 pm

  87. what we have here is a failure to communicate!
    (on legislative plates)
    Illinois- where your governor makes your plates
    Charmin- because it doesn’t just involve in the woods, it’s a way of life in Illinois

    Comment by LisleMike Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 1:40 pm

  88. Illinois - The “What’s In It For Me?” State

    Comment by Hunterdon Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 2:14 pm

  89. Suave hair products, governor approved.

    Comment by Ryan from Carrollton Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 4:50 pm

  90. Illinois GOP—Because NOT everyone can be on welfare

    Comment by dumb ol' country boy Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:12 pm

  91. ExxonMobil. OK. We’ll try. Just PLEASE stay off bikes…AND keep your clothes on in the meantime.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 10:59 pm

  92. Illinois come get shaken down..town!

    Comment by the Cardinal Tuesday, Jun 14, 11 @ 11:01 pm

  93. Pet Smart

    Going to the Dogs

    Comment by Das Man Wednesday, Jun 15, 11 @ 4:35 am

  94. Check-n-2-Cash…becuase that IS how we roll in IL.

    Comment by Justica O ! Wednesday, Jun 15, 11 @ 7:04 am

Add a comment

Sorry, comments are closed at this time.

Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Next Post: Education reform roundup

Last 10 posts:

more Posts (Archives)

WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.

powered by WordPress.