August 11, 2024 – Legislation enabling Illinois residents to start using mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs was signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker.
The bill is part of Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ commitment to modernizing the office, while getting up to speed with other states that already have secure mobile driver’s license and state ID programs in place.
Giannoulias’ office is hoping to make mobile IDs available next year, but only after rigorous testing requirements are implemented.
“Whether it’s offering more services online or introducing products like mobile driver’s licenses and identification cards, we want to leverage new, secure technology to create efficiencies that better serve Illinoisians,” said Giannoulias, whose office pushed for the bill. “We’re excited to reach a point where we can implement mobile IDs in a manner that ensures our roads are safe and that the privacy of Illinoisans is protected, while still providing law enforcement, businesses and medical professionals, which rely on physical driver’s licenses and identification cards, the information they require.”
The legislation would not replace a physical driver’s licenses, but instead mobile IDs would act as a companion to a physical card. Illinois joins 12 other states that already offer mobile forms of identification (including bordering states – Iowa and Missouri), while at least 18 other states are currently working toward the implementation.
New technology allows for more privacy by allowing individuals to decide what personal information they share via a contactless encrypted data exchange between their device and the reader. Mobile IDs offer privacy control options that allow people to verify their age when legally purchasing alcohol, cannabis or renting a car, while hiding other personal information – like their address.
