SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinoisans could soon have the ability to ask for a digital driver’s license or state ID. A proposal on Gov. JB Pritzker‘s desk would allow the Secretary of State’s office to launch the process of finding vendors for digital ID production.
People spend a significant amount of time on their cell phones thanks to countless apps for everyday life. But have you ever thought of using an app to show your driver’s license?
Digital IDs in Illinois would include a barcode so people would not have to have to give their phone to officers during traffic stops.
"This is not taking away the ability to have a physical driver’s license," said Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago). "I personally choose to have certain credit cards physically and other ones I have on my mobile device. So this would just give us the ability to do that."
Rep. Kam Buckner discussed his digital ID legislation on May 20, 2024.
Democrats said digital IDs can make it easier to provide proof that you’re qualified to drive and identify yourself at stores, banks or medical offices. However, some Republicans worry there won’t be enough safeguards in place for private information.
"Law enforcement has devices obviously that could clone my phone once they got their hand on it," said Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur). "I know your bill says this, but is there a penalty for that? What is my protection from someone, a rogue police officer, wanting to download my photos, accessing my phone?"
Buckner said police would not be able to look through your phone unless they had a search warrant. The bill language states that showing a mobile ID does not serve as consent for law enforcement or any other person to search, view or access any other data or application on the phone.
"There may be issues around requiring internet connection to access the mobile ID, which disadvantages people who don’t have Wi-Fi," said Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago). "It could perhaps permit commercial entities to discriminate or charge higher fees. We see this in places that are refusing to take cash. So, there’s some concerns there."
Sponsors said they will address those concerns when the Secretary of State’s office issues rules to implement the plan.
18 other states are currently working toward implementing digital ID systems. 12 states already offer digital forms of identification.
Local representatives Brad Halbrook, Chris Miller, Adam Niemerg and Blaine Wilhour did not vote on the proposal when it passed out of the House on May 20. The legislation gained unanimous support in the Senate.
"By allowing residents to carry a digital version of their driver’s license or ID card on their phone, we are streamlining daily activities that require identification, such as traffic stops and age verification," said Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort).
2024 marked the first time an Illinois Secretary of State supported legislation for digital identification. Alexi Giannoulias worked with Buckner and Hastings to get the proposal across the finish line and to the governor’s desk.
"Smartphones have become convenient places to store everything from movie tickets, boarding passes and credit cards," Giannoulias said. "With technological advancements and additional safeguards to make it the most secure and state-of-the-art system in the nation, we’re confident Illinoisans will soon have the option to carry a digital version of their driver’s license or state ID."
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