The present invention relates to an illumination system for displays, especially in vehicles, comprising a base (3) on which at least a first light source (4) is provided to emit light, a cover (6), which is provided at a distance from the base (3) on the side of the base with the first light source (4) and has a visible side (9), at least one light guide (7), which is disposed in such a way that light emitted by the first light source (4) can be launched into the light guide and which extends through the cover (6) up to the visible side (9), whereby the light guide (7) and the cover (6) consist of two different materials and the light guide is formed integrally with the cover. The present invention also relates to a corresponding cover assembly, which is formed from the cover (6) as the cover element and the light guide (7).