Amid Increased ICE Activity, Giannoulias Urges Public to Report Illegal License Plate Tampering

Giannoulias says “no one is above the law,” citing a lawsuit alleging federal agents swapped or altered plates during immigration enforcement in Illinois.

Max Walczyk - Office of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias

Jun 30, 2026 2:12 PM

Listen to the story

View a video message from Secretary Giannoulias

SPRINGFIELD – As federal immigration activity intensifies once again in Illinois, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging residents to immediately report any vehicle displaying altered, obscured, missing or unlawfully switched license plates, warning that plate tampering is illegal under Illinois law, regardless of who commits it.

The Secretary of State’s office is encouraging anyone who witnesses potential violations to contact the Plate Watch Hotline by calling (312) 814-1730 or emailing platewatch@ilsos.gov.

Illinois law prohibits any individual from switching or modifying license plates on vehicles for which they were not issued. The law aims to protect public safety, ensure accountability and allow law enforcement to identify vehicles involved in criminal activity, crashes and emergencies.

The warning comes as new video on social media appears to show an ICE agent exiting a vehicle without a license plate and as reports of increased federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity emerge in Illinois. It also follows a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with the cooperation of Secretary Giannoulias and the City of Chicago, alleging that U.S. Department of Homeland Security agencies and officials violated Illinois law by swapping or altering license plates during immigration enforcement operations.

“License plates are one of the most basic tools of public accountability on our roads,” Giannoulias said. “Anyone who tampers with, removes or swaps a license plate makes vehicles harder to identity, undermines public safety and violates Illinois law. That applies equally to everyone – including ICE agents. If you witness license plate tampering, report it immediately. No one is above the law.”

Under state law, penalties for displaying a plate on a vehicle for which it was not authorized for use, or obscuring or modifying license plates in any way, include fines and potential jail time. In addition, the Secretary of State’s office has the authority to suspend or revoke a vehicle’s registration in cases involving unlawful plate use.

Giannoulias also made clear that Illinois registered vehicles are required to display both front and back license plates. Vehicles registered in other states that issue only a rear license plate must comply with the registration requirements of their home state while operating in Illinois, but may not display altered, concealed or fraudulent plates.