Illinois residents can now apply for the new K-9 Memorial License Plate, supporting a first-of-its-kind program to help cover veterinary expenses for retired police dogs across the state.
The specialty plate funds the Care for Retired Police Dogs Grant Program, created under House Bill 3140. The legislation was originally filed in the House by State Representative Tom Weber (64th-Lake Villa) and signed into law with State Senator Erica Harriss (56th–Glen Carbon) serving as a chief co-sponsor in the Senate.
“These K9s serve with courage and loyalty every single day,” said Representative Weber. “When their service ends, most of them go home to live with their handlers, the very partners they worked alongside for years. This program helps ensure those families aren’t burdened with significant veterinary costs and that these dogs receive the care they’ve earned in retirement.”
House Bill 3140 creates the Care for Retired Police Dogs Grant Program, which will provide up to $1,500 annually to reimburse handlers or adoptive families for eligible veterinary expenses. To qualify, a K9 must have served at least five years, or at least three years if injured in the line of duty.
“Our police K9s give everything they have to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Harriss. “After years of dangerous and demanding work, many face costly health challenges. This law makes sure they’re cared for in retirement, just as they cared for us.”
The program will be fully funded through the sale of the K-9 Memorial License Plate, ensuring no cost to taxpayers. To guarantee long-term sustainability, it will only be launched once a minimum of 2,000 license plate applications are received by January 2028.
Illinois drivers interested in supporting retired police K9s can apply for the new plate here.
(https://www.ilsos.gov/content/dam/publications/pdf_publications/vsd978.pdf)
Under the name of Specialty Plate Being Requested type: Illinois Police K9 Memorial License Plate. There is a $25 fee to be placed into the fund.
For more information, contact the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.