Undocumented immigrants start testing for Illinois driver's licenses

reuters.com ^ | Dec 3, 2013 | MARY WISNIEWSKI

[moonshinner_09]

(Reuters) - Undocumented immigrants in Illinois began taking road tests on Tuesday to qualify for driver's licenses, starting a process expected to be closely watched by other U.S. states that are preparing to implement similar laws.

Illinois is the largest U.S. state to implement legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to get licenses - following in the steps of New Mexico and Washington.

Ten states in 2013 including Illinois enacted laws allowing unauthorized immigrants to receive driver's licenses or permits, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Implementation dates vary - California, the largest state by population, won't begin issuing licenses until 2015.

"They represent a growing trend toward inclusive state policies that recognize that immigrants are part of our community," said Melissa Keaney, an attorney with the National Immigration Law Center. "If someone's going to drive, we want them to be sure they know the rules off the road."

Keaney said "all eyes will be on Illinois" to see how their program works. About 25 states considered the issue in their 2013 legislative sessions, the NCSL said.

Supporters of the Illinois law said some 250,000 undocumented immigrants are already driving in the state, the fifth most populous. The new law requires them to take driver's tests and have liability insurance, thus making the roads safer, the supporters said.

Illinois started taking appointments for testing November 12, and has scheduled 5,500, according to Dave Druker, a spokesman for the Illinois Secretary of State.

Undocumented immigrants seeking a license in Illinois must show proof of insurance and, like other residents, must take a road test, a written test and a vision test. They also need to show they have lived in Illinois for a year by providing a rental agreement or other documents.

[Roy Tucker]

It would be nice if it were a sting operation.

[BillyBoy]

PhilCollins has been trying to figure out Rutherford’s stance on the bill (he was already Treasurer when it came out for a vote). Rutherford’s remained silent on the issue so I doubt he’d be any better than the other four on the issue. As to who’s the “most conservative” on immigration over all, its hard to say. Brady is probably the most conservative on overall issues, but he was always wobbly on the issue, even in 2006, and lately he’s been really bad. Dillard claims to be conservative on immigration, his voting record says otherwise. Rutherford hasn’t talked about the issue much. I don’t know what Rauner says and it doesn’t matter since I don’t trust a single thing he says anyway.

Interesting enough, I think my RAT State Senator at the time (Maloney) was the LONE RAT in the Illinois Senate to vote “NO”. He was always a “centrist” RAT with a decent record on some issues like abortion and illegal aliens, though he’d voted the way Madigan wanted if he was needed. Unfortunately, he’s now retired and faux “pro-life Catholic” Democrat Cunningham is my newly elected RAT State Senator. Based on his record as state rep., I’ll be shocked if Cunningham EVER votes against the RAT party policy on ANY issue, whether his vote is needed or not.

[dfwgator]

PhilCollins has been trying to figure out Rutherford’s stance on the bill

Because it's no fun being an Illegal Alien.

[PhilCollins]

The state senate passed the dream act in May 2011, when Rutherford was the treasurer. Brady and Dillard voted yes.

Last Aug., I checked Rutherford’s campaign site, to see whether he said his opinion about the law that will give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. I didn’t find that subject, so I emailed him. One of his aides called me and said, “That is a law, and we can’t do anything about it.” I said, “Does he agree with it or disagree with it?” He said, “He’ll be writing detailed position papers in about a month. That will be one of the issues, and it will be included on the campaign website.” About a month later, I checked the site, and I didn’t see that subject. I emailed Rutherford and that aide, and I asked the same question. I haven’t received a response. About a month ago, when John Kass & Lauren Cohn interviewed Rutherford, I tweeted John, and I said, “Please ask Treasurer Rutherford whether, if he’s governor, he’ll propose a bill to repeal the law that will allow illegal aliens to get driver’s licnses.” John asked the question, and Rutherford said, “I don’t think our legislature will repeal that law.”