SPRINGFIELD — Drivers can now apply for a driver’s license that meets federal ID requirements and makes it easier for them to fly, with Gov. Bruce Rauner signing legislation today that Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) advanced out of the Senate earlier this year.

House Bill 395, which Martinez sponsored in the Senate, creates a two-tiered REAL ID system under which applicants for drivers’ licenses and identification cards may choose to apply for either a REAL ID-compliant license/ID card or a non-compliant license/ID card. Becoming REAL ID-compliant is a federal requirement.

“The two-tiered system gives people the option to decide what’s best for them,” Martinez said. “If someone doesn’t need to fly or simply chooses to not go with the REAL ID-compliant license/ID card, then there is an option that will work for them.”

Illinois has been taking strides to become fully REAL ID-compliant and has an extension from the federal government to become compliant by October 2017. However, the Department of Homeland Security has said that by January, 2018, passengers with a driver’s license issued in a state that is not compliant with the REAL ID Act will have to show an alternative form of identification to board a plane.

Under the new law, applicants for REAL ID-compliant identification must present documents including a certified copy of their birth certificate and immigration documents or a U.S. passport. Non-compliant licenses and ID cards will be issued pursuant to current requirements.

“Since the federal government is requiring Illinois to become REAL ID-compliant, the question becomes how to best go about doing this,” Martinez said. “The two-tiered system, which has been used in other states, is the best way for Illinois to have a system in place that meets the needs of our citizens.”

States such as Arizona, Nevada, West Virginia and Wisconsin offer the two options. In Wisconsin, only 22 percent of citizens have chosen to apply for the REAL ID-compliant card. Wisconsin officials have stated that many citizens who do not fly or visit federal facilities have opted for the noncompliant card.  

The federal REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes standards for issuing identification cards and prevents federal agencies from accepting identification cards from states that have not implemented the act’s requirements.

House Bill 395 takes effect immediately.  

###

SPRINGFIELD — Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago 20th) released the following statement after voting to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto of Senate Bill 1, legislation reforming Illinois’ worst-in-the nation school funding formula:

“I voted to uphold Senate Bill 1 today because the nearly 400,000 students in Chicago deserve a quality education just as much as every other student in the state

“Our current school funding system disproportionately harms minority and low-income students. The governor’s plan does nothing to fix that. In fact, it makes the situation worse by taking nearly $500 million from Chicago Public Schools.

The governor’s plan pits Chicago against the rest of the state to score political points. Our children are not political pawns, and we must support the only plan that ensures a fair and equitable education for all students.”

SPRINGFIELD — Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago 20th) released the following statement after Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto on Senate Bill 1, legislation reforming Illinois’ worst-in-the nation school funding formula:

“I am deeply disappointed that Gov. Rauner failed to stand up for students today. He claims to care about education, and yet he rejected legislation that would fix our broken school funding system and provide an equal opportunity at education for every child in our state.

“Even worse, the governor’s continues to use our children as political pawns to pit different parts of the state against one another by spreading false claims about the measure giving preference to Chicago schools.

“Despite the governor’s unwillingness to compromise, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fight for a fair education for all our students.”

Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) will be holding her annual Family Wellness and Back to School Fair with State Representative Jaime Andrade, Jr. (D-Chicago), Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Cook County Commissioner Luis Arroyo, Jr. next month.

The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at Avondale Logandale School, 3212 W. George, on the corner of Kedzie and George.

“The start of the school year is a perfect time to check up on your health and learn about the services that are available in your community,” Martinez said. “The services at the event are designed to keep both kids and adults healthy all year long.”

Kids will receive free backpacks and healthy snacks at the fair and can get physicals, immunizations and dental screenings.

Services are available for parents and other adults, including blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings.

For more information on the Family Wellness and Back to School Fair, please view the flyers below in English or Spanish or call Martinez’s office at (773) 278-2020.