First auto tags started around 1905 for the State of Illinois. These tags are very rare some were made out of steel some out of leather. These tags were for a city or town and were not needed for the State. It was not until 1911 Illinois required all cities and towns to have a State license plate. This plate did not have a date. In 1912 Illinois added the date to the plate. In 1913 they added slots in the front plate so air could pass through the radeator. In 1920 they discontinued the slots. By 1943 they made the plates out of fiberboard and discontinued this in 1949. By 1979 they started putting stickers on the rear plate and this is the policy practiced today.