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Last year, legislators approved House Bill 4592 that allowed the
Secretary of State’s office to facilitate digital IDs.
The plan to have digital Illinois IDs in Apple Wallets "includes
robust testing requirements to ensure the office delivers the
most secure and private product for Illinois residents,"
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said.
“This is the first component of a multi-faceted approach to
deliver a state-of-the-art mobile driver’s license and state ID
program that leverages best-in-class technology for residents,”
he said in a statement.
Anyone interested in getting an Illinois digital ID for their
Apple wallet can visit ILSOS.gov/mDL to sign up.
"Mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs will not be mandatory
and will serve as a companion – rather than a replacement – to a
physical card," Giannoulias’ office said in a news release.
During debate on the bill, state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago,
raised a host of concerns from the American Civil Liberties
Union.
“Expanding law enforcement access to mobile devices in a way
that might have some privacy concerns,” Cassidy said during
spring session. “There may be issues around requiring an
internet connection to access the mobile ID, which disadvantages
people who don’t have WiFi. Perhaps, could permit commercial
entities to discriminate or charge higher fees. We’ve seen this
in places that are refusing to take cash.”
The Secretary of State's office said the plan is to launch the
Apple Wallet ID by the end of the year. The office also expects
to bring mobile driver’s licenses and IDs to additional digital
wallets, such as Google Wallet for Android users, in the future.
Illinois joins 10 states and territories that have adopted IDs
in Apple Wallet, including Arizona, Colorado, California,
Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Puerto
Rico. |
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