Major change announced for undocumented immigrants in Illinois

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Undocumented immigrants in Illinois can now apply for a standard state driver’s license, in a move that advocates say will allow residents to obtain a legal form of identification that does not call their immigration status into question with each use.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias was surrounded by supporters of all nationalities at Pilsen’s National Museum of Mexican Art as he announced the end of the Temporary Visitor Driver’s License (TVDL) program. Going forward, undocumented individuals will be eligible for a standard Illinois driver’s license.

Giannoulias estimated that about 300,000 people in Illinois have a TVDL, which is differentiated from the standard license by a purple band and an extra notation that reads, “not valid for identification.”

“What we know — anecdotally and based on some data — is there are so many people who want to get an ID or want to get a license, but that stigma of having the purple banner across the driver’s license has kept them away from doing so,” Giannoulias said.

The TVDL left individuals having their immigration status called into question with each use. The new and more discreet standard driver’s license, which is available now, can be obtained by showing a passport and proof of residence for one year, along with proof of vehicle insurance.

Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said that while the celebration of this new policy was held at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, it will benefit people from all countries.

“Whether they’re from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as Latin America,” he said. “It’s an issue for people from all over the world. Our state and our city reflect that great diversity.”

The new license does not provide access to voting privileges. The words "Federal limits apply" will also be printed on the license.

“Individuals can use it as a form of identification while performing essential tasks like filling prescriptions, opening a bank account and applying for an apartment — things that couldn’t be done with a TVDL,” Giannoulias said. “These are essential services that folks can now participate in.”

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