Illinois to Launch Digital Driver’s Licenses and State IDs in 2025 Amid Major Legislative Changes

Illinois is joining a growing wave of U.S. states implementing mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) with the passage of House Bill 4592, which will enable residents to carry digital versions of their state identification cards and driver’s licenses starting in 2025. The initiative follows successful mDL rollouts in states like West Virginia and Georgia, where digital credentials have already gained acceptance for various verification purposes.

The digital credentials will contain standard identification information including name, photograph, and signature, delivered through secure applications that meet American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) guidelines and the ISO/IEC 18013-5 standard, which establishes international protocols for mobile ID security and interoperability.

The digital ID program marks a significant advancement in modernizing state identification systems, but Illinois residents will still be required to maintain physical ID cards. The requirement matches current federal regulations, including REAL ID compliance. As with other states’ implementations, agencies and private entities will retain discretion regarding acceptance of digital alternatives, though recent trends show increasing adoption across sectors from casinos to age verification at bars and restaurants.

The state’s minimum wage will reach $15 per hour for workers aged 18 and older starting January 1, 2025, marking the final phase of Illinois’ planned wage increases.

New health insurance regulations include requirements for detailed explanations of vehicle total loss determinations and mandatory coverage for clinical genetic testing and cancer imaging. Senate Bill 3130 modernizes the State-Based Marketplace, implementing prescription drug copay caps and enhanced network adequacy for behavioral health and dental providers.

Consumer protection measures include Senate Bill 2764, which mandates businesses to notify customers three days before automatic renewals for products or services with gift or trial periods exceeding 15 days.

Transportation regulations will prohibit vehicles from parking on highway shoulders within a half-mile radius of O’Hare Airport’s eastern entrance. The Secretary of State’s Office must implement an option for 8-year driver’s licenses within two years.

Additional tenant protections are being implemented, with advocacy groups pushing for substantial budget allocations to address unfair evictions and create a landlord registry. The city is finalizing a $17.3 billion budget, which includes measures to address a nearly $1 billion shortfall through property tax increases and departmental budget reductions.

Sources: Senate Week in Review Muddy River News Injustice Watch NBC Chicago Mobile ID World

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December 27, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team