Giannoulias, Raoul, Chicago File Lawsuit Against Federal Officials Over License Plates

CHICAGO – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and the City of Chicago filed a lawsuit in federal court against U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security, and other federal officials, alleging unlawful swapping or altering of Illinois license plates. The suit asserts the state’s right to enforce its laws and protect public safety. The Secretary of State’s office launched a hotline in October for residents to report plate tampering, which led to an investigation confirming federal agents had modified plates on a rental vehicle. Officials sent letters to rental companies and DHS warning that altering plates is illegal under Illinois law.