An illumination device comprises a housing, a light source, a light
transmissive support plate and a sensor. The light source is mounted
within a cavity of the housing. The light transmissive support plate is
engaged with the housing. The housing and the light source are configured
for enabling light from the light source to impinge upon the light
transmissive support plate. The sensor is configured for selectively
activating the light source dependent upon placement of an article
relative to the light transmissive support plate. In one embodiment, the
sensor is preferably a force sensitive sensor having the light
transmissive support plate engaged therewith. The light transmissive
support plate is mounted in a manner enabling force to be applied on the
force sensitive sensor by the light transmissive support plate when a
corresponding force is applied on a support surface of the light
transmissive support plate.