(Photo By Flickr User internetcases)

Illinois is starting a program to replace older license plates that officials say won’t cost the budget-strapped state any additional money.

According to The Associated Press, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced the new program earlier this week.

He says the program will start next year and will be paid for within the agency’s current budget.

Under the program the oldest license plates will be replaced first. That means plates made in 2000 and 2001 will be replaced next year. Those made in 2002 and 2003 will be replaced in 2018.

Each year the agency will replace old plates until 2027, when the process will start again and 2017 plates will be replaced.

White says the program is needed because plate reflectivity diminishes with age, making it difficult for law enforcement to read plate numbers.