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Question of the day

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Illinois

* The setup…

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Illinois secretary of state’s office does not have to issue specialty license plates bearing the slogan ‘’Choose Life'’ favored by anti-abortion forces.

Officials are within their rights in trying to keep either viewpoint on the emotional issue of abortion off of Illinois license plates, the court said, reversing a 2007 order.

‘’It is undisputed that Illinois has excluded the entire subject of abortion from its specialty plate program,'’ the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said.

‘’It has authorized neither a pro-life plate nor a pro-choice plate,'’ the court said. ‘’It has done so on the reasonable rationale that messages on specialty license plates give the appearance of having the government’s endorsement, and Illinois does not wish to be perceived as endorsing any position on abortion.'’

The entire opinion can be read at this link.

* The Question: Do you agree or disagree with the ruling? Explain fully, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:25 am

Comments

I’m no lawyer, but it seems folks can buy those magnates instead if they won’t to express themselves.

Comment by Bill Baar Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:35 am
Hmm, what about those “prevent violence” plates?

Not that I want to promote violence, mind you, but the proceeds from the PV plates goes towards anti-gun organizations…

Comment by photogram Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:36 am
I agree. They’re license plates. The state shouldn’t be in the business of advertising political views on plates.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:36 am
I agree. License plates “advertise” Illinois all over the country when people travel. They should not be used to promote a political agenda.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:47 am
===PV plates goes towards anti-gun organizations… ===

Not so sure about that. You have proof? I scanned through some grantee lists and didn’t see anything.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:49 am
this isn’t indiana. as a state, we should at least try and pretend that we have some class. i guess that’s a statement of agreement with the decision…

Comment by bored now Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:49 am
That’s what bumper stickers are for, and they’re WAY cheaper.

Just sayin’.

Comment by This Guy Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:51 am
I agree. We either need both or neither. The court says neither, so that is fine with me.

Comment by Heartless Libertarian Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 10:57 am
The court’s argument that specialty plates implies tacit state approval is sound and does not prevent someone from expressing their beliefs or donating to their causes. I agree with the court.

Comment by doubtful Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 11:02 am
[curmudgeon mode on]

Remember When…

The state was in the business of providing government services and not advertising?

And when a license plate was just a license plate?

[curmudgeon mode off]

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 11:03 am
Not to mention the difficulty for law enforcement in recognizing a plate from a distance as to its state of origin. One state, one plate. That’s my stand. Are you in good hands?

Comment by Captain Flume Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 11:18 am
Rich,

One of the grantees listed on the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority’s website is the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence….which could just as well be re-named the Council Against Handgun Ownership. I can’t figure out what exactly this group does OTHER than engage in anti-gun rights advocacy.

Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:05 pm
Agree. The federal government has no business telling the State that it must allow a particular statement on its license plates. Of course, the federal government also has no business telling the State that it must allow abortions, but that’s a mere legal technicallity.

Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:05 pm
I agree with the ruling. It isn’t the place for the state to take sides. In this case the state treated each side equally and I think made a wise choice.

Comment by Justice Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:20 pm
Sadly, this was a transparent attempt by the anti-choice folks to try to shoehorn their way in.

Lost in the whole debate is that the funds raised through the sale of these specialty plates were dedicated to supporting adoption. But rightwingers resisted efforts to change the language to “Choose Adoption,” something I think the public would have embraced.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:21 pm
I am against specialty plates, period. For identification purposes it’s much easier to have one license plate format and typeface rather than a hodgepodge.

Comment by Independent Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:23 pm
I’ll go beyond this particular issue…

License plates are no place for any statements of any kind. Their purpose is to register a vehicle and prove currency of taxes paid on that vehicle.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:29 pm
I’m also against specialty plates, period. Also any kind of vanity plates and especially the ones that say things like “Illinois House Retired.” A pox on both their houses and an Ill. death may they die.

Comment by Excessively rabid Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 12:50 pm
Leave the plates politics free and one design for easy ID. Some specialty plates (handicapped or disabled vet) that allow specific benefits are fine. Drop all the other specialty plates.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 1:19 pm
I think we should drop the speciality plate program. Except for handicapped and disabled vets. They are a distraction to the other drivers. I also think bumper stickers should be banned.

Comment by Boscobud Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 2:52 pm
I seems the plates are open to interpretation.
There are more important things to do with our time and courts.

Comment by Neil Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 2:57 pm
No “advertising” - period
No peace plates
No conservation plates
No U of Illinois plates
No pro-life plates
AND ESPECIALLY - no low number plates for the ’special’ people.

If someone wants “funds” to go to a certain effort, write a check.

This is your car, this is your number

Period
(and I’m pro-life)

Comment by trafficmatt Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 5:54 pm
I am amazed that this is such a touchy issue. I hate those pet friendly plates, because I hate people who let their dogs crap everywhere w/o cleaning it up!

Comment by Wumpus Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 6:24 pm
If these right-wingers weren’t so obsessed with what everyone else is doing in their private lives, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion. In the 60’s we heard, “love it or leave it.” These wing nuts should move to Iran or somewhere else where abortion and homosexuality is completely illegal. They could be forever happy then–and leave the rest of us alone.

Comment by Joe the writer Monday, Nov 10, 08 @ 8:07 pm