Metro East Sun

A bill by State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) for special license plates and decals to raise awareness for pediatric cancer treatment and research was recently signed into law.

The funds for the plates and decals will also go toward research and awareness. The issuance fee will be $25, with $10 going to the awareness fund and $15 going to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. The renewal fee will be the same price with $23 going to the fund and $2 going to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund.

The new law is in honor of Jerseyville resident Jonny Wade, who died from pediatric cancer at age 8.

“When I learned about Jonny Wade and his family, I wanted to introduce legislation to help fight pediatric cancer,” McClure said. “His story and the wisdom that he showed during his courageous fight is inspirational, as is his continued fight against cancer through the work of his family. I’m proud that this legislation was my first bill to pass out of the Illinois Senate. It is in honor of Jonny and all the kids in our state who have fought and are fighting cancer.”

The bill was sponsored by McClure in the Senate and Davidsmeyer in the House of Representatives.

The Wade family established the Kids Shouldn’t Have Cancer Foundation. The funds will go to the Pediatric Cancer Awareness Fund of the University of Illinois Cancer Center.