7/12/05-A bill that sought to allow illegal immigrants in Illinois to obtain driver’s licenses is dead.
HB129, sponsored by Rep. Ed Acevedo, D-Chicago, remained in the House Rules Committee at the deadline to advance from the House, effectively killing it for the year.
It compelled the secretary of state to issue a driver’s license to an immigrant who is ineligible for a Social Security number if that applicant has met specific requirements.
Under the bill, an illegal immigrant seeking a license would have been required to provide:

• A taxpayer identification number;
• An affidavit saying that the applicant will file to become a permanent resident;
• A current passport;
• A foreign birth certificate; and
• A photograph and digital fingerprints.

There would have been several other differences between the licenses issued under the bill and other Illinois driver’s licenses. Those issued under the bill would have been required to be visually different from other Illinois driver’s licenses. In addition, the licenses issued under the bill would have come with an extra fee that would have been used to pay for extra processing required for illegal immigrants’ licenses.
Like other drivers, immigrants who received the licenses would have had to obtain valid insurance to stay on the road.
Those who receive licenses under the bill would not have been eligible for commercial driver’s licenses.

4/29/05-A bill that would allow illegal immigrants in Illinois to obtain driver’s licenses is back in committee after coming close to a final vote in the House.
HB129, sponsored by Rep. Ed Acevedo, D-Chicago, would compel the secretary of state to issue a driver’s license to an immigrant who is ineligible for a social security number if that applicant has met specific requirements.
Under the bill, an illegal immigrant seeking a license would be required to provide:

• A taxpayer identification number;
• An affidavit saying that the applicant will file to become a permanent resident;
• A current passport;
• A foreign birth certificate; and
• A photograph and digital fingerprints.

There would be several other differences between the licenses issued under the bill and other Illinois driver’s licenses. Those issued under the bill would be required to be visually different from other Illinois driver’s licenses. In addition, the licenses issued under the bill would come with an extra fee that would be used to pay for extra processing required for illegal immigrants’ licenses.
Like other drivers, immigrants who received the licenses would have to obtain valid insurance to stay on the road.
Those who receive licenses under the bill would not be eligible for commercial driver’s licenses.
The Executive Committee of the House approved the measure March 9 on an 8-3 vote. It then went to the House floor to consideration.
However, the bill was sent back recently to the Rules Committee, where it remains at this time.
For bill status, call (217) 782-5799.

3/18/05-The House Executive Committee voted 8-3 on March 9 to approve a bill that would allow illegal immigrants in Illinois to obtain driver’s licenses. It has been sent to the full House for consideration.
HB129, sponsored by Rep. Ed Acevedo, D-Chicago, would compel the secretary of state to issue driver’s licenses to immigrants who are ineligible for a Social Security number if they meet other specific requirements.

• Under the bill, illegal immigrants seeking driver’s licenses would be required to provide:
• A taxpayer identification number;
• An affidavit saying that they will file to become permanent residents;
• A current passport;
• A foreign birth certificate; and
• A photograph and digital fingerprints.

There would be several differences between the licenses issued under the bill and other Illinois driver’s licenses. Those issued under the bill would be required to be visually different from other Illinois driver’s licenses and there would be an extra fee for them that would be used to pay for extra processing required for illegal immigrants’ licenses.
Like other drivers, immigrants who received the licenses would have to obtain valid insurance to stay on the road.
Those who receive licenses under the bill would not be eligible for commercial driver’s licenses.
For House bill status, call (217) 782-5799.

1/19/05-A bill in the House would allow illegal immigrants in the state to obtain driver’s licenses.
HB129, introduced by Rep. Ed Acevedo, D-Chicago, would compel the secretary of state to issue a driver’s license to an immigrant who is ineligible for a Social Security number if that applicant has met specific requirements.
An illegal immigrant seeking a license would be required to provide:

• A taxpayer identification number;
• An affidavit saying that the applicant will file to become a permanent resident;
• A current passport;
• A foreign birth certificate; and
• A photograph and digital fingerprints.

There would be several other differences between the licenses issued under the bill and other Illinois driver’s licenses. Those issued under the bill would be required to be visually different from other Illinois driver’s licenses. In addition, the licenses issued under the bill would come with an extra fee that would be used to pay for extra processing required for illegal immigrants’ licenses.
Like other drivers, immigrants who received the licenses would have to obtain valid insurance to stay on the road.
Those who receive licenses under the bill would not be eligible for commercial driver’s licenses.
The bill has yet to be assigned to a committee. For House bill status, call (217) 782-5799.
For Senate bill status, call (573) 751-2966.