Illinois Senate OK's Illegal Immigrant Driver's License Bill

Written by Shannon Antinori

The Illinois Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that could allow undocumented illegal immigrants to have driver's licenses.

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State Senators voter overwhelmingly in favor of Senate Bill 957, which would allow immigrants to receive a temporary visitor driver's license (TVDL) upon successful completion of driver's training. The TVDL would then allow undocumented immigrants to obtain auto insurance, but do not provide a means of lawful identification for any other purpose, according to a statement issued by State Sen. Pat McGuire (D-Joliet) on Tuesday.

Forty-one Senators voted in favor of the bill, while 14 voted no and one abstained.

“The more tested and insured drivers there are, the safer our roads will be," McGuire said. "While citizenship is a federal matter, ensuring the safety of our roadways is a state matter. There were a number of safeguards built into the bill as a result of bipartisan compromise.”

Voting yes alongside McGuire were Sens. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and Linda Holmes (D-Aurora).

The fate of the bill in Illinois House is still unclear, according to the Chicago Tribune.

What do you think? Should undocumented illegal immigrants be able to legally hold driver's licenses?