Frequently Asked Questions

In 2024, legislation was introduced in the Illinois Senate/House, giving Illinoisans the opportunity to support efforts to expose Illinois youth to the sport of tennis. This legislation enabled a youth tennis license plate decal in Illinois, which would generate revenue to support nonprofit youth tennis programs throughout the state.

Proceeds from the plate support the Illinois USTA Midwest Youth Tennis Foundation Fund, which can open doors of opportunity for children of all backgrounds to learn, grow and thrive on and off the tennis court. The foundation will use proceeds to support nonprofit youth tennis programs throughout the state.

You can learn more about the Youth Tennis Decal program here. You’ll need to complete the Youth Tennis License Plate Request Form and mail it, along with a $25 check, to the Secretary of State address listed on the form.

The final price is based on the type and expiration date of your license plate* (prices below assume the $25 deposit has been paid). The Illinois Youth Tennis decal will add $40 to the usual cost of your plate.

Random-Number Universal License Plate with Youth Tennis Decal

• Current plate does not expire within 90 days: $44 

Personalized Universal License Plate with Youth Tennis Decal

• Current plate does not expire within 90 days: $91 

Vanity Universal License Plate with Youth Tennis Decal

• Current plate does not expire within 90 days: $138 

*If your current plate expires within 90 days, you will need to pay the renewal plus the additional fee above.

Proponents for the Youth Tennis License Plate decal have until December 31, 2026, for 2,000 Illinoisans to pay their $25 deposit. Once that threshold is reached, the State will review and approve the decal design, allowing production to commence. 

Once the 2,000-person threshold has been met and the decals produced, you will receive a letter from the Secretary of State indicating you paid a deposit for the decal. Upon receipt of that letter, you will need to pay the remaining amount for the license plate. Because the State already received your $25 deposit, you will be credited that amount toward purchasing the plate. Complete the form enclosed in the letter and mail it back to the Secretary of State.

You will then swap out your old plates with the youth tennis plates.

You’ll need to fill out the Youth Tennis License Plate Request Form. Please indicate on the form that you paid your deposit. Complete the form and mail it, along with a check, to the address listed on the form.

You are under no obligation to purchase the license plate; however, you will not be eligible for a refund of your $25 deposit. 

The $25 deposit fee was sent to the Illinois USTA Midwest Youth Tennis Foundation. According to state law, the fee cannot be refunded or redirected to any other plate because it has already been allocated to that charity. For additional information about the Illinois Youth Tennis License Plate, please click here.

Yes. You will need to pay the license plate amount minus the $25 you originally paid as part of the deposit.

You’ll need to fill out the Youth Tennis License Plate Request Form. Please indicate on the form that you did not pay a deposit. Complete the form and mail it, along with a check, to the address listed on the form.

Random-Number Youth Tennis License Plate 

• Current plate does not expire within 90 days: $69 

Personalized Monarch Butterfly License Plate 

• Current plate does not expire within 90 days $116 

Vanity Monarch Butterfly License Plate 

• Current plate does not expire within 90 days: $163 

*If your current plate expires within 90 days, you will need to pay the renewal plus the additional fee above.

A state law was passed in 2016, allowing the Secretary of State’s office to offer a variety of specialty decals that promote various charities and organizations without adding more individual plate designs. These specialty decals are used in conjunction with Illinois Universal License Plates. All Universal Plates have the same design with a standard-sized decal on the left side representing a different charity or organization. 

Specialty plate decals support charities and causes, including organ donation, Illinois-based sports teams, veterans’ groups and others. Illinois residents must pay an extra fee for the plates, with a percentage of the proceeds supporting their chosen organization. 

The annual fee is $25 in addition to your vehicle registration renewal fee.

To pay by credit card, please call the Secretary of State’s office at (217) 785-0005.

Yes. Additional fees apply for both. You will need to indicate the type of plate you desire on the form. 

Youth Tennis Universal Personalized License Plates

• Personalized plates contain both letters and numbers.

  • 1 to 3 letters plus numbers 1 to 99; or 4 letters plus numbers 1 to 9.

  • For example: M 1, R 23, SB 6, XG 23 or PQM 1.

Youth Tennis Universal Vanity License Plates

• Vanity license plates contain up to three numbers or up to five letters only.

  • For example: 23, 680, MB, JKP, or SDGM.

This plate is available for first and second-division vehicles, which include passengers, trucks (weighing less than 8,000 pounds), motorcycles and autocycles.