Illinois residents may soon have the option to carry digital driver’s licenses and state IDs. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is working to bring this feature to the state by the end of the year. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said, “We’re excited to have kickstarted our work with Apple, a company that shares our commitment to data security, to provide IDs in Apple Wallet that will offer convenience and privacy for Illinoisans.”
Once launched, the digital IDs will serve as a companion to physical cards rather than a replacement.
Residents will be able to present their identification using their iPhone or Apple Watch by opening the relevant app on their device. This can be done without taking out the physical card or handing over the device. The office also plans to offer digital IDs to other digital wallets, such as Google Wallet for Android users, although no specific date has been provided for this.
The primary advantages of digital IDs are convenience and privacy. Users will be able to share only the necessary information when purchasing alcohol or renting a car, without revealing additional personal details like their address. The user can authorize the information release by scanning their face or finger.
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Illinois introduces digital ID options
Kam Buckner, the bill’s sponsor, said, “Other states already have mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards, and this bill gives our residents the same ability to have a mobile card if they want one, while still providing them with the option of a traditional physical card.”
Interested residents can sign up to receive updates about the program and its availability.
The legislation took effect on January 1, but Giannoulias had previously stated that digital IDs would only be issued after rigorous testing and security standards are ensured. The office’s first step will be to develop the highest standards of security and conduct rigorous testing to ensure that residents’ sensitive information and privacy are protected. Sen.
Michael Hastings, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, said, “Mobile driver’s license and ID cards provide our residents with the option to protect their personal information. There is no reason age verification should require residents to disclose sensitive information such as their address when we have the technology available for selective information disclosure.”
Illinois law stipulates that displaying a mobile driver’s license or ID does not grant consent for a device search. The law requires the use of an electronic credential system, such as a barcode, to certify the ID without needing to hand over the mobile device.
TSA officials have acknowledged that the agency accepts mobile IDs in many situations but still advises travelers to carry physical ID cards. For REAL ID-compliant cards, mobile identification can be used, but officials emphasize the importance of bringing physical copies as a backup. Twelve states already offer mobile forms of identification, and at least 18 other states are working toward implementation.
Illinois aims to lead with one of the most secure and modern digital ID systems in the nation.
