An Illinois lawmaker has introduced a bill to honor Dolton-native Pope Leo XIV with commemorative license plates and a statue near the state capitol.
The proposal, filed by Rep. Martin McLaughlin, a Republican from Lake Barrington, would allow the Secretary of State to issue special plates for $27, in addition to standard registration fees.
According to the legislation, “$15 would go to the Secretary of State special license plate fund, and $12 would support a Pope Leo XIV commemoration fund.”
The commemoration fund would operate within the Capitol Restoration Trust Fund and be used solely for the statue’s development.
The bill also permits the fund to accept donations from any source, stating it “may only be appropriated for purposes associated with the statue.”