D’Amico Passes Legislation Giving Residents Options on ID Cards

CHICAGO – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, recently passed legislation that gives Illinois residents different options when applying for a state identification card.

“By giving residents the option to choose between the two cards we aren’t placing an undue burden on folks who have no intention of air travel or visiting locations requiring a REAL-ID,” D’Amico said. “The requisite documents needed for the REAL ID are quite extensive and can create an added cost for folks that are trying to collect the necessary documentation.”

D’Amico’s legislation, House Bill 395, allows gives residents the right between getting a REAL-ID compliant card and a noncompliant card, similar to other states that have gained REAL-ID compliance through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). One of these states, Wisconsin, has seen 78 percent of its citizens opt for the noncompliant card.

Customers choosing to receive the noncompliant cards will not be required to bring additional documentation, and the cards will be marked “not for Federal identification.” The noncompliant identification cards are not permissible to be used for entry to airplanes or for entering federal facilities or military bases.

“As Illinois continues to modernize and rework its state identification cards to meet the standards set by DHS, it’s important that we give folks options and time to adjust to the new ID requirements,” D’Amico said. “I am thankful that my colleagues in the House supported this measure that puts Illinois in line with states in a similar situation.”

House Bill 395 passed the House with bipartisan support and is currently waiting to be assigned to a Senate committee.

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