Illinois is taking a digital leap forward as Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announces the introduction of digital IDs and driver’s licenses, a move that aligns with broader efforts to incorporate modern technology into everyday governance. Starting Wednesday, residents with an iPhone will be able to add their identification directly into their Apple Wallet, a change that Giannoulias believes represents "government innovation at its best — modern, secure, and designed for you," as he explained in a statement obtained by CBS News Chicago.
The digital ID initiative is set to simplify to greatly many day-to-day processes, enabling Illinoisans to use their digital driver’s license or state ID for activities ranging from restaurant and bar entries to airport security checkpoints at O'Hare and Midway. As NBC Chicago's Kye Martin reports, iPhone users will soon be able to effectively keep all necessary identification in their digital pockets, with plans to expand the digital IDs to Samsung and Google phones next year. However, digital IDs are not a replacement for physical identification, which still must be carried, especially in encounters with law enforcement.
Residents looking to add their IDs to their Apple Wallet will need to scan their physical ID card and take a selfie for verification, as described by CBS News Chicago. This process includes a series of facial and head movements for an additional security measure before approval. The new law, which allowed for the issuance of digital driver’s licenses and identification cards, was earlier put into effect to develop top-tier security standards and undergo rigorous testing to protect residents' sensitive information and privacy.
The embrace of digital IDs can also empower individuals to control what personal information they share through a contactless, encrypted data exchange, adds NBC Chicago's Kye Martin. For instance, when verifying age for alcohol or cannabis purchases, users can opt to only display the necessary age information without revealing their address. Despite some concerns raised by groups like the ACLU regarding potential searches of personal phones, Illinois legislation has explicitly prohibited law enforcement from searching through a phone’s contents after viewing a mobile identification card. Senator Michael Hastings, who co-sponsored the bill, emphasized the urgency to use an electronic credential system, such as a barcode, to ensure individuals do not have to surrender possession of their device when presenting their digital ID.
The TSA has acknowledged that it does accept mobile identification at airports but advises passengers to bring physical ID cards as well. This comes as part of a broader movement within the United States toward mobile forms of identification, with a number of states currently exploring implementation or having already incorporated such systems into their state governance architecture, as per statements made by Illinois officials to NBC Chicago.
