(a) Beginning January 1, 1996, in addition to any other special license plate, the Secretary, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue special registration plates to residents of Illinois who have been awarded the Bronze Star by the United States Armed Forces. The Secretary, upon receipt of the proper applications and fees, may also issue these special registration plates to an Illinois resident who is the surviving spouse of a person who was awarded the Bronze Star by a branch of the armed forces of the United States. The special plate issued under 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. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the staggered multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.
     (b) The design, color, and format of the 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 plates or personalized in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code. The plates are not required to designate “Land Of Lincoln”, as prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 3-412 of this Code. The Secretary shall prescribe the eligibility requirements and, in his or her discretion, shall approve and prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412.
     (c) (Blank).