Illinois Rejects Over 300 Vanity Plates

In 2024, the Illinois Secretary of State's office rejected 335 vanity license plate requests due to their offensive or difficult-to-read nature. Among the notable rejections were 'HOKTUAH,' a phrase popularized by a viral street interview, and others like 'JAGWEED,' 'BADARSE,' and 'WEENIE.' Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias emphasized the importance of maintaining standards of good taste and decency, noting that the office is well-equipped to identify inappropriate language. The rejection list now includes over 8,000 combinations flagged for being lewd or potentially problematic for law enforcement. Illinois received a total of 60,537 vanity plate requests last year, with each plate costing an additional fee of $94. Giannoulias stated that the creativity shown by Illinoisans in their plate choices is commendable, but it must adhere to legal guidelines.