Bill would let illegal immigrants drive legally
In a nod to the growing power of Latino voters, state and local political leaders said Tuesday it is time to bring illegal immigrants into the ranks of legal Illinois drivers.
Details are still being worked out for a measure that supporters say would make roads safer and lower insurance costs by providing an estimated 250,000 unlicensed immigrant drivers a way to get behind the wheel legally.
The idea of a special license for illegal immigrants is being pitched by ruling Democrats as a common-sense safety and consumer measure that can be passed as soon as lawmakers return to the Statehouse next week, but the idea has failed twice in recent years in Springfield.
Some Republican and Democratic lawmakers have framed their opposition in terms of the broader debate over illegal immigrants, saying that providing driver's licenses would reward people who are breaking the law by living in the country unlawfully.
But now supporters are counting on a double dose of political timing to make the difference.
First, Democrats who were wary of casting a controversial vote before the November election are now safe for two more years, or in some cases will be leaving the Legislature come January. And Republicans, stung by a lack of Latino support in this month's national election, might be looking for a way to reach out to an important constituency.
Republican legislative leaders did not attend the news conference where state Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, Gov. Pat Quinn and fellow Democrat Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced their support for the measure. But GOP state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and two-time Republican Gov. Jim Edgar were there.
Edgar called the proposal "morally fair, economically sound and politically smart," saying Republicans must do more to reach out to Latino voters or risk losing their support forever.
"I think it's very important just from a purely politically selfish point of view," said Edgar, who also served multiple terms as Illinois secretary of state in charge of doling out driver's licenses. "Now, from just a good government (view), from what's morally right, this is the right thing to do too. We've got a lot of families that can't do what families need to do — get to work, get to church, take their kids to ballgames, because of, I think, our failure to deal with the immigration issue. Now we can't solve it all in Illinois, but it is one step we can begin to take."
The broad outline of the proposal calls for expanding an existing program that provides temporary driver's licenses for immigrants who are in Illinois legally. Under that program, foreign students and family members of temporary workers and long-term visitors can qualify for licenses that are valid for three years with the proper immigration paperwork.
That would be tweaked to allow illegal immigrants to qualify for the temporary licenses if they can provide a valid passport or identification card issued by a consulate, plus proof of Illinois residency. Applicants must pass a vision, written and road test and obtain insurance. The licenses could not be used as a form of identification.
Similar legislation passed out of the House in 2007 but stalled in the Senate. That measure also required applicants to be fingerprinted, a point that is still under negotiation in the latest proposal.
If the measure passes, Illinois would join Washington state and New Mexico with similar legislation on the books. Quinn has vowed to sign the proposal if it reaches his desk.
"This is really a consumer measure, it's a safety measure, but also it's a measure of making sure we include people," the governor said.
Cullerton said he might call for a vote on the measure when lawmakers return to the Capitol next week. Legislators also are scheduled to be in session for a few days in December and January.
A spokeswoman for Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont said Radogno was open to the idea but was waiting for details.
"As always, there are legitimate concerns that need to be discussed, and we are open to continuing that discussion," spokeswoman Patty Schuh said.
House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego could not be reached Tuesday.
State Rep. Randy Ramey, R-Carol Stream, a former DuPage County GOP chairman, said the driver's license plan symbolizes a larger movement toward a path to citizenship for lawbreakers.
"Why are we offering a ride to people who have broken the law?" said Ramey, one of the lame-duck lawmakers. "All we're going to do is attract more illegals. From all I can gather, this is to try to get these folks to be a revenue source — give them (driving) certificates, pay for that. Buy insurance, pay for that."
But House sponsor Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago, said he's confident there will be more support this time around, particularly from other lame-duck lawmakers who are leaving office and will be more willing to support a politically risky proposal.
"I think the momentum is a lot stronger now than it was years ago," Acevedo said.
Lawrence Benito, chief executive of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said routine traffic stops are the leading cause of deportation in the state. He said allowing illegal immigrants a way to become legally licensed will keep families together and help breed trust that is often lacking between immigrants and police.
The license idea is also backed by some in the insurance industry.
An estimated 250,000 immigrant drivers in Illinois have not passed a driving test and are therefore more dangerous behind the wheel, according to the Illinois Highway Safety Coalition, which includes insurance companies and law enforcement officials. Unlicensed and uninsured drivers are involved in nearly 80,000 accidents each year, resulting in $660 million in damages, the group says.
But a victim of a recent hit-and-run accident involving a suspected illegal driver questioned how much a license program would mean.
Just last week, a Volkswagen Beetle struck Dakpa Jorden and his relative, Tsering Dorjee, as they crossed a street in West Rogers Park. Dorjee was killed and Jorden suffered a broken leg along with head and neck injuries.
Authorities said the driver charged in the case, a 23-year-old native of Mexico, never had a driver's license and was suspected of being in the United States illegally.
Jorden considers the accident a case of bad luck and doesn't think giving licenses to illegal immigrants will help.
"It doesn't make a difference," he said. "This is a man problem. One or two person's problem. This is not a government problem."
Another unlicensed driver said she wants to comply with the law, if it is changed to give her the chance. Lisbeth Salinas, of Waukegan, said she has no other option when it comes to juggling her own business and two young children in day care.
Brought here as a baby from Mexico, the 26-year-old said she has been driving without a license for 10 years. While Salinas said she took driver's education in high school, she is sure many other illegal immigrants on the road did not.
"I can't be grabbing a taxi every day," said Salinas, who owns a travel agency on a street lined by grocery stores, taquerias and other businesses that cater to the city's large Hispanic population.
Laura C. Logan, who sells auto insurance at a business just down the street, came from Mexico in 1957 and is now a citizen. She said she knows many people she serves apply for license plates for cars they will operate without a license.
Logan said the proposal would promote safety, allow the government to reap fees from drivers who aren't paying into the system and boost the economy by allowing those who have avoided driving to become licensed.
"If all the people could have driver's licenses, I'm sure they'd find jobs and go to college," Logan said.