SPRINGFIELD — A state legislator wants to generate revenue through commemorative license plates to help pay for a statue of Pope Leo XIV at the Illinois statehouse.

To mark the historical milestone of the former south suburban Dolton resident’s ascendancy to the highest position in the Holy See, state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Lake Barrington, proposed building a statue on the grounds of the state capitol.

To afford the construction, a special fund would be formed, accepting public and private donations, according to a measure McLaughlin recently introduced.

Additional money could be acquired through a proposed commemorative license plate fund that would be set up under the Secretary of State’s Office.

Those special license plates could be purchased for $27, according to McLaughlin’s

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