SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' 61st specialty license plate could declare "In God We Trust."

On Thursday, a committee gave its blessing to the specialty license plate, which is planned to raise revenue for families of Illinois National Guard members and reservists facing financial hardships.

The legislation, proposed by state Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, awaits action in the House.

"It's an opportunity to give people that want to recognize their heritage an 'In God We Trust' motto on their license plates, and at the same time, provide needed financial relief for military families," said Bradley, who believes printing such a plate does not violate church-state separation issues. "They don't have to buy them - it's voluntary."

The secretary of state's office only prints specialty plates when more than 850 registered motorists are willing to pay for them, spokesman Henry Haupt said. The plates would generate $23 in combined registration and renewal fees per plate, totaling nearly $20,000 for every batch of the specialty plate.

State Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, proposed similar legislation in January. The beneficiaries of his proposal were law-abiding high school students seeking tuition waivers for a year of community college education. With Bradley's bill pushing through committee Thursday, Boland became a chief co-sponsor.

"I was a sponsor of the Military Family Relief Act when it passed, so I'm all for it," said Boland, who's seeking alternative funding sources for his 21st Century Scholarships plan.

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States with plates

States that have or are considering "In God We Trust" specialty license plates:

- Indiana

- North Carolina

- South Carolina

- Ohio

- Kansas