QUINCY, Ill. - Ducks Unlimited has recognized State Senator John Sullivan for his leadership and support in passing a bill to establish a specialty DU license plate this past legislative session. 

The new license plate, expected to be released sometime in 2011, will include DU’s signature duck head logo and provide the wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with $25 for every license plate sold.  Dr. Rex Schulz, DU regional vice president, presented Sen. Sullivan with a special decoy in appreciation for his sponsorship of the legislation at the annual DU fundraising banquet in Quincy, Ill. 

According to Dr. Schulz, a specialty license plate for DU has the potential of raising more than a million dollars for Illinois projects over time, and DU members thank Senator Sullivan for assisting in their work toward a positive conservation heritage in Illinois.

A portion of the license plate registration fees for both new plates will go to the Secretary of State’s Special License Plate Fund to pay for production and administration. The majority of the fees will go to Ducks Unlimited.

Illinois’ environment and economy benefit from Ducks Unlimited’s wetland protection and restoration work, as sportsmen and nature enthusiasts come from throughout the state and region to enjoy the state’s waterfowl and wetlands conservation sites.

Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent.