Quinn says the bill will make Illinois roads safer and "empower more immigrants to become stronger contributors to our economy."
Supporters call the measure a matter of public safety that will allow an estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants of driving age in Illinois to get driver's licenses.
Representative John Bradley, D-Marion, was the only lawmaker from downstate Illinois to vote in favor of the bill. He joined the Morning Newswatch with Tom Miller on Wednesday.
"The federal government has not done their job in terms of addressing illegal, undocumented aliens problem," Bradley said. "They have not done their job in terms of immigration, and they've left us with a mess in Illinois."
Anyone who applies will have to take driver's tests, prove Illinois residency and have a picture taken that would go into a state database.
(Information from The Associated Press was used in this article. Copyright 2013, All rights reserved.)
E-Mail
Print
