Driver`s license plan for illegal immigrants advances

A bill to give illegal immigrants in Illinois a chance to get a special license to drive cleared another hurdle today, winning approval in a committee and moving one step away from the governor’s desk.

Sponsoring Rep. Eddie Acevedo, D-Chicago, later indicated that he`s not likely to call the bill for a vote in the full House until Tuesday. The roll call is expected to be close. Time is running short. A new legislature is sworn in Wednesday.

The proposal would allow an estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois to get three-year renewable license to drive a vehicle. They could not officially be used for other identification purposes, such as for boarding a plane, buying a gun or voting.

To become eligible, a person would have to live within Illinois for at least a year, a provision that would require applicants to provide a copy of a lease, utility bills and the like.

Under current law, people without a Social Security number or proper documentation to be in the country can`t get a driver`s license and often have trouble getting car insurance.

The proposal won`t require somebody to have insurance before applying for a license because insurance is tied to a vehicle, but supporters note it`s already illegal to drive an uninsured car whether a person has a license or not.

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The bill advanced to the House floor on a 6-3 vote of a House transportation panel.

The bill already passed the Senate. Passage in the House would send the bill to the governor.

raguerrero2@tribune.com

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