Proposed legislation in Illinois aims to establish a mobile ID system, allowing residents to carry digital versions of their state IDs or driver’s licenses on their smartphones. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has endorsed this forward-thinking bill, recognising the potential benefits it offers.
The bill enables the Secretary of State to issue mobile-based state IDs or driver’s licenses to eligible individuals. These digital credentials would serve as an alternative to physical documents and be bolstered in terms of security, as holders can selectively share relevant information with requesting parties without revealing unnecessary details.
Illinoisans can make changes to their personal information remotely, eliminating the need for in-person visits to government offices. This feature aims to reduce wait times and enhance convenience.
Giannoulias emphasises that Illinois intends to create the most secure and state-of-the-art mobile ID system. The state can collaborate with various agencies, including other states, the federal government, or private third parties, to issue, use, and verify these digital credentials.
Illinois’s proposed legislation aligns with Tennessee’s HB 2792/SB 2661, introduced in January. Both states recognise the importance of innovative digital ID systems while adopting a decentralised approach to citizens owning data. U.S. states may be finally embracing some aspects of a national identity by being collaborative over the use and inclusion of mobile IDs in smartphones.
Giannoulias also said that smartphones hold a haven of digital credentials and products to improve functionality within society and interaction with everyday services. Smartphones have been repositories for tickets, credit cards, and more. Most states are putting in the groundwork to build a “truly digital” mobile ID system and create digital products and services from the ground up, rather than just digitalising physical documents.
