The Secretary, upon receipt of an application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue to members of the United States Armed Forces Reserves who reside in Illinois, and to Illinois residents who are either former members of the United States Armed Forces Reserves or the surviving spouses of United States Armed Forces Reserve members who resided in Illinois, special registration plates. The special plates issued pursuant to this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motorcycles, or motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds subject to the staggered registration system. The design and color of such plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity or personalized plates in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code.