My understanding is that all federal vehicles that aren't assigned for use of the President or heads of executive departments must have a license plate when operating on state roads.
Pulling over vehicles without plates seems like a reasonable method for local police forces to stop ICE within their jurisdiction. Why isn't this happening?
more_corn•8h ago
Federal officials say they’re “meeting regulations”.
Which I think means “going to get away with breaking the law until someone stops them.”
> § 102-34.110 Must Government motor vehicles use Government license plates?
> Yes, you must use Government license plates on Government motor vehicles, with the exception of motor vehicles exempted under § 102-34.160, § 102-34.175 or § 102-34.180.
Second exemption:
> § 102-34.175 What motor vehicles have an unlimited exemption from displaying U.S. Government license plates and motor vehicle identification?
> Motor vehicles used primarily for investigative, law enforcement, intelligence, or security duties have an unlimited exemption from displaying U.S. Government license plates and motor vehicle identification when identifying these motor vehicles would interfere with those duties.
IANAL, but from a naive glance, your understanding seems to be incorrect. I think it's very concerning that there's no mention of the regulations in the article.
Anyone have a less naive perspective, with references?
leakycap•7h ago
You're misunderstanding your source. You quote:
> have an unlimited exemption from displaying U.S. Government license plates
Yes ... but U.S. Gov't plates and state plates are not the same
The very thing you linked explains federal law enforcement who don't want to use "U.S. Gov't" plates have unlimited exemption to use standard state-issued license plates... you know, the kind everyone has, to blend in?
> § 3-402. Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions.
> A. Exemptions and Policy. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer when driven or moved upon a highway shall be subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of this Chapter except:
> ...
> (6) Any vehicle which is owned and operated by the federal government and externally displays evidence of federal ownership. It is the policy of the State of Illinois to promote and encourage the fullest use of its highways and to enhance the flow of commerce thus contributing to the economic, agricultural, industrial and social growth and development of this State, by authorizing the Secretary of State to negotiate and enter into reciprocal or proportional agreements or arrangements with other States, or to issue declarations setting forth reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges with respect to vehicles operated interstate which are properly registered in this and other States, assuring nevertheless proper registration of vehicles in Illinois as may be required by this Code;
> with references.
Please provide a reference for future comments.
leakycap•6h ago
Just read the page you linked. It is not confusing unless you don't know how statutes work.
> § 102-34.110 Must Government motor vehicles use Government license plates? Yes, you must use Government license plates on Government motor vehicles, with the exception of motor vehicles exempted
For exempted vehicles from U.S. Government plates (as noted above), do you think state laws for plates ... just don't apply?
nomel•6h ago
Sorry, had a procrastination timeout mid edit, so couldn't complete my comment. See edited comment above, with reference for a state plate not being required in IL. So, it appears a federal and state plate aren't required. Additionally, the link in my previous comment shows that the IL plate requirements can be negotiated.
> For exempted vehicles from U.S. Government plates (as noted above), do you think state laws for plates ... just don't apply?
Please include the reference for the requirement that contradicts what I have in the edited comment.
cozzyd•7h ago
But Illinois law would still require them to have a license plate, generally, even if not a US Government one (in fact, the picture in the article shows an Illinois license plate on a vehicle that does have one).
> How are these ICE goons not being stopped by local forces?
Because the rule of law isn't absolute any more? Because the local cops know these goons have the backing of the corrupt federal government and trying to get them to follow the law would get them (the local cops) beat up, jailed, etc, instead?
Welcome to a shithole country!
As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said "In a government of laws, existence of the government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our Government is the potent, omnipresent teacher. For good or ill, it teaches the whole people by its example... If the Government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself.".
And as this lady who studied corruption observed, https://archive.ph/E6zXj corruption doesn't help with fighting insurgency, just think about how many would not report to the cops if they saw Luigi Mangione.
1970-01-01•7h ago
If this was scaled up to the entire fleet, I imagine several vans would be stolen everyday. Car thieves love this one weird trick..
nomel•6h ago
Plates aren't an anti-theft device. Many state and federal vehicles have asset trackers. For example:
leakycap•8h ago
Pulling over vehicles without plates seems like a reasonable method for local police forces to stop ICE within their jurisdiction. Why isn't this happening?
more_corn•8h ago
nomel•8h ago
> § 102-34.110 Must Government motor vehicles use Government license plates?
> Yes, you must use Government license plates on Government motor vehicles, with the exception of motor vehicles exempted under § 102-34.160, § 102-34.175 or § 102-34.180.
Second exemption:
> § 102-34.175 What motor vehicles have an unlimited exemption from displaying U.S. Government license plates and motor vehicle identification?
> Motor vehicles used primarily for investigative, law enforcement, intelligence, or security duties have an unlimited exemption from displaying U.S. Government license plates and motor vehicle identification when identifying these motor vehicles would interfere with those duties.
IANAL, but from a naive glance, your understanding seems to be incorrect. I think it's very concerning that there's no mention of the regulations in the article.
Anyone have a less naive perspective, with references?
leakycap•7h ago
> have an unlimited exemption from displaying U.S. Government license plates
Yes ... but U.S. Gov't plates and state plates are not the same
The very thing you linked explains federal law enforcement who don't want to use "U.S. Gov't" plates have unlimited exemption to use standard state-issued license plates... you know, the kind everyone has, to blend in?
nomel•6h ago
https://codes.findlaw.com/il/chapter-625-vehicles/il-st-sect...
> § 3-402. Vehicles subject to registration; exceptions.
> A. Exemptions and Policy. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer when driven or moved upon a highway shall be subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions of this Chapter except:
> ...
> (6) Any vehicle which is owned and operated by the federal government and externally displays evidence of federal ownership. It is the policy of the State of Illinois to promote and encourage the fullest use of its highways and to enhance the flow of commerce thus contributing to the economic, agricultural, industrial and social growth and development of this State, by authorizing the Secretary of State to negotiate and enter into reciprocal or proportional agreements or arrangements with other States, or to issue declarations setting forth reciprocal exemptions, benefits and privileges with respect to vehicles operated interstate which are properly registered in this and other States, assuring nevertheless proper registration of vehicles in Illinois as may be required by this Code;
> with references.
Please provide a reference for future comments.
leakycap•6h ago
> § 102-34.110 Must Government motor vehicles use Government license plates? Yes, you must use Government license plates on Government motor vehicles, with the exception of motor vehicles exempted
For exempted vehicles from U.S. Government plates (as noted above), do you think state laws for plates ... just don't apply?
nomel•6h ago
> For exempted vehicles from U.S. Government plates (as noted above), do you think state laws for plates ... just don't apply?
Please include the reference for the requirement that contradicts what I have in the edited comment.
cozzyd•7h ago
nomel•6h ago
They don't seem to be required in IL, on federal vehicles: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45532733
netsharc•8h ago
Because the rule of law isn't absolute any more? Because the local cops know these goons have the backing of the corrupt federal government and trying to get them to follow the law would get them (the local cops) beat up, jailed, etc, instead?
Welcome to a shithole country!
As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said "In a government of laws, existence of the government will be imperiled if it fails to observe the law scrupulously. Our Government is the potent, omnipresent teacher. For good or ill, it teaches the whole people by its example... If the Government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself.".
And as this lady who studied corruption observed, https://archive.ph/E6zXj corruption doesn't help with fighting insurgency, just think about how many would not report to the cops if they saw Luigi Mangione.