On January 1, 2025, a new law will go into effect in Illinois that allows the Secretary of State to issue a mobile Illinois Identification Card or Driver’s License in addition to the physical cards given out at DMVs across the state when a person is eligible for and has received an Illinois Identification Card or Driver’s License. This law is Public Act 103-8024, and with its enactment, Illinois joined the dozen other states that have implemented mobile identification cards.
This new law allows the Secretary of State to work with a third party to create a mobile application for the new mobile cards and prohibits the Secretary of State from charging any more than $6.00 for the application. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias told NBC Chicago that his goal is to have the mobile credentials available by January.
These mobile ID cards can be used to purchase age-restricted items like alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. You can choose to hide certain personal information such as your address when presenting your mobile ID card, which is one of its key benefits.
This doesn’t mean that your physical ID card will become obsolete and you can start leaving it at home; there are situations when you will continue to need your physical ID card. When it is required by law and upon request of law enforcement, you must provide your physical credentials. In fact, the new law protects the use of a physical card. It provides that no person, public or private entity, or agency may create a policy that requires the use of the mobile credential instead of the physical credential.
If you choose to get the app, use the mobile credentials, and present your phone to a police officer, court, or officer of the court, you should know that, unless that person acts in a willful and wanton manner, such individuals are immune from liability from any damages to your mobile device. However, don’t worry about an officer snooping through your phone after they scan your ID, as the new law specifically enumerates that providing your mobile credentials is not considered consent to search the rest of the contents of your mobile device.
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