State Considers Giving Illegal Immigrants Driver's Licenses
By: Alex de Leon
Updated: November 20, 2012
Springfield - In an effort to make roadways safer, Gov. Pat Quinn (D) backs an idea to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
The proposed law would require every driver, legal or not, to get a license. There are currently 250,000 illegal immigrants driving in Illinois.
They have no licenses, no insurance coverage, and no driver's education training. But, many still go out on the road when they have to and that's what many say lead to crashes. "It doesn't mean that they're a citizen" says Chief Deputy Jack Campbell of the Sangamon Co. Sheriff's Office. "It just gives them the ability to drive in the country and get to their job and transport their kids to school. So, I think it would help a lot."
The licenses would only be valid in Illinois. The measure is receiving support from both sides of the aisle.
The proposed law would require every driver, legal or not, to get a license. There are currently 250,000 illegal immigrants driving in Illinois.
They have no licenses, no insurance coverage, and no driver's education training. But, many still go out on the road when they have to and that's what many say lead to crashes. "It doesn't mean that they're a citizen" says Chief Deputy Jack Campbell of the Sangamon Co. Sheriff's Office. "It just gives them the ability to drive in the country and get to their job and transport their kids to school. So, I think it would help a lot."
The licenses would only be valid in Illinois. The measure is receiving support from both sides of the aisle.
