New Illinois license plates to honor veterans

JOLIET, Ill. — Illinois veterans with disabilities like post-traumatic stress disorder will soon be able to get special license plates to note their service.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law Friday that will recognize those veterans whose unseen disabilities may not have qualified them for disabled license plates and parking privileges.

Quinn signed the measure at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Joliet.

He said Illinois veterans "who have sacrificed so much for the good of this country deserve honor and thanks."

The special plates will resemble the Illinois Disabled Veteran License Plate but will not have the international symbol of access.

Quinn said the "new license plate will remind us of our modern-day heroes each time we see them on the road."

The measure takes effect Jan. 1.