The Illinois Senate Tuesday approved drivers' licenses for immigrants who came to the U-S illegally.
While the bill passed with bipartisan support, southern Illinois' Senate delegation voted against the plan with Republicans Dave Luechtefeld of Okawville and John Jones of Mt Vernon voting "No" and Democrat Gary Forby of Benton voting "Present." The measure passed 41 to 14 in favor of the plan. Just one lawmaker, a Republican, spoke against the measure in debate, saying it was wrong to grant driving privileges to people who'd broken the law in coming to the U.S. Other Republicans were more conciliatory, framing the issue as a matter of highway safety. The state estimates there are more than 250,000 immigrant drivers on Illinois roads who have not passed a driving test, which presents a dangerous risk to other drivers. Governor Pat Quinn estimates the measure would result in Illinois motorists saving about $46-Million a year on insurance premiums.
The visitor licenses would have a purple banner declaring that they're not a form of identification. That's so they can't be used to purchase firearms, check into a hotel, board an airplane, or vote. Governor Quinn supports the measure, but it still needs approval in the Illinois House.
The measure is SB957.
