IllinoisIllinois allows eligible people to use mobile IDs alongside physical cards
The Secretary of State may issue mobile Illinois ID cards and driver’s licenses to eligible people who already hold valid, unexpired physical cards.
What it does
The Secretary of State may issue mobile versions of Illinois ID cards to eligible people who already hold a valid, unexpired physical card. The mobile card does not replace it.
The Secretary of State may issue mobile driver’s licenses to eligible drivers who already hold a valid, unexpired physical license. Drivers must keep the physical license when the law requires it.
People checking a mobile ID may request only needed details and cannot take the user’s phone. Showing the ID does not let them search the phone or open other apps.
Argument forPeople who prefer using a phone for identification may find a mobile ID convenient, while keeping their physical card for situations that require it.
Argument againstPeople may worry that sharing ID details through a phone could expose personal information, even though the law limits what checkers may request and keep.
More detail
The Secretary of State may issue mobile ID cards to eligible applicants. This applies to people otherwise eligible to hold a physical Illinois ID card who already have one. The applicant must hold a valid, unexpired physical Illinois ID card issued by the Secretary of State. The mobile card is in addition to the physical card, not a replacement. A person must have the physical card when the law requires an ID.
The Secretary of State may issue mobile driver’s licenses to eligible drivers. This applies to people otherwise eligible to hold a physical Illinois driver’s license who already have one. The driver must hold a valid, unexpired physical Illinois driver’s license issued by the Secretary of State. A mobile license does not replace the physical license. The driver must have the physical license when the law requires it.
People checking mobile IDs and the Secretary of State must follow privacy and phone-handling rules. These rules apply when someone presents a mobile Illinois ID card or driver’s license for verification. A checker may request only ID details needed for the transaction and may keep only details the user agreed to share; the checker must explain how long it will keep them. Showing a mobile ID does not allow anyone to search the phone or access other apps, and no checker, including law enforcement, may take the phone to verify the ID. The Secretary may not track or compile use information without the user's consent, except as required by law. When required by law and upon request, the user must provide the physical ID to law enforcement, a government representative, or a private entity.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Aug 7Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0821Latest
- Aug 7Effective Date August 7, 2026
- Aug 7Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 25Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Norine K. Hammond
- May 27Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Tony M. McCombie
- May 27Passed Both Houses
- May 27Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 109-000-000Passed House
- May 22Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2026
- May 19Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick Windhorst
- May 6Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Do Pass / Short Debate Transportation: Vehicles & Safety; 010-000-000
- Apr 27Assigned to Transportation: Vehicles & SafetyMinor
- Apr 17Referred to Rules Committee
- Apr 17First ReadingMinor
- Apr 17Chief House Sponsor Rep. Ryan Spain
- Apr 17Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 16Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
- Apr 16Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4Minor
- Apr 16Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Tabled Pursuant to Rule 5-4Minor
- Apr 16Third Reading - Passed; 046-011-000Passed Senate
- Apr 16Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
- Apr 16Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted; CunninghamMajor
- Apr 16Recalled to Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 15Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommend Do Adopt Executive; 010-002-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 3. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 15, 2026
- Apr 14Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Assignments Refers to Executive
- Apr 14Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Executive
- Mar 31Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 31Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill CunninghamMinor
- Mar 26Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 26Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill CunninghamMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 12, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11Do Pass Executive; 012-000-000
- Mar 11Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Executive
- Mar 4Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Executive
- Mar 4Postponed - Executive
- Mar 3Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Executive
- Mar 2Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 2Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill CunninghamMinor
- Feb 17Assigned to ExecutiveMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Assignments
- Feb 4First ReadingMinor
- Feb 4Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill CunninghamIntroduced
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