Undocumented Immigrants Can Get Illinois Drivers Licenses

Governor promises to sign bill

Illinois lawmakers approved a new measure Tuesday that would allow undocumented immigrants to get temporary driver's licenses.

Gov. Pat Quinn has pledged to sign the bill, saying in a statement that it will make the state's roads safer.

"More than 250,000 immigrant motorists on our roads today have not passed a driving test, which presents a dangerous risk to other drivers," said Quinn, a Democrat. "Illinois roads will be safer if we ensure every driver learns the rules of the road and is trained to drive safely."

The bill, which the state's House of Representatives approved 65-46 on Tuesday, says immigrants can apply for the temporary licenses—good for three years—if they have lived in the state for more than a year. The driver's licenses cannot be used as identification to buy weapons or board airplanes, officials have said.