Could digital driver’s licenses be coming to Illinois?

Posted on February 29, 2024
The law would not eliminate physical driver’s licenses but would allow the digital ID to act as a companion to the digital card. (Photo courtesy: Pixabay)

By WMBD-TV

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that he is backing legislation that would allow Illinois residents to use digital driver’s licenses and state IDs.

According to a news release from the Secretary of States Office, Giannoulias is supporting Illinois HB 4592 which could implement the digital IDs as early as next year.

“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.”

The law would not eliminate physical driver’s licenses but would allow the digital ID to act as a companion to the digital card. The digital ID could be used to verify their age when purchasing alcohol or cannabis, or when renting a car.

The law would still require a person to show a physical copy of the driver’s license when requested by law enforcement.

If approved, Illinois would join 12 other states that already offer digital forms of identification.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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