Politics & Government

State rep proposes Space Force license plate for Illinois. What slogan would you want?

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a GPS III-5 satellite into orbit launches from LC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., June 17, 2021. The GPS III satellites have signals three times more accurate than the current generation of satellites and eight times the jamming resistance.
A Falcon 9 rocket carrying a GPS III-5 satellite into orbit launches from LC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., June 17, 2021. The GPS III satellites have signals three times more accurate than the current generation of satellites and eight times the jamming resistance.

A southwestern Illinois state representative has proposed legislation to create a special license plate for United States Space Force members.

Founded in 2019, the force is the space branch of the U.S. armed services organized under the Air Force. It has ties to Scott Air Force Base, where guardians — the name for members of the Space Force — have been stationed.

State Rep. David Friess of Red Bud said it was a constituent’s idea to make a Space Force license plate for Illinoisans.

“They’re very proud of their service and that’s how they want people to know either they’re serving or have served,” Friess said.

If the bill (HB 4325) passes, the Illinois Secretary of State would ultimately have control over how the license plate appears, but Friess is sure people will have suggestions.

“I guarantee there’s going to be a lot of ideas,” he said. “I’m excited about it.”

The legislature meets this week for an abbreviated session, but Friess said he wasn’t sure if his bill would be considered.

In the meantime, the BND would love to hear your ideas.

What slogan would you suggest for a U.S. Space Force license plate? Use the form below or at the following link to enter your suggestion: https://forms.gle/osf13BPFQrgFbn2C7

Kelsey Landis
Belleville News-Democrat
Kelsey Landis is an Illinois state affairs and politics reporter for the Belleville News-Democrat. She joined the newsroom in January 2020 after her first stint at the paper from 2016 to 2018. She graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2010 and earned a master’s from DePaul University in 2014. Landis previously worked at The Alton Telegraph. At the BND, she focuses on informing you about what your lawmakers are doing in Springfield and Washington, D.C., and she works to hold them accountable. Landis has won Illinois Press Association awards for her work, including the Freedom of Information Award.
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