The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is set to introduce IDs in Apple Wallet for residents, with plans to launch by the end of the year, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced on Monday.
This new feature will allow residents to securely add and present their driver’s licenses and state IDs using their iPhone or Apple Watch, both in person and within apps. The initiative follows recent legislation that took effect at the beginning of the year, granting the Secretary of State’s office the authority to develop this capability. Giannoulias emphasized that the program will undergo thorough testing to ensure the highest standards of security and privacy for Illinoisans.
Once implemented, the IDs in Wallet will offer a streamlined and secure way for Illinoisans to present their identification. Users can add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and simply tap their device to showcase it, eliminating the need to physically present their card.
The Secretary of State’s office has created a sign-up page for residents eager to receive updates on the mobile driver’s license and state ID program. Interested individuals can sign up at www.ilsos.gov/mDL.
It’s important to note that mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs will be optional, serving as a companion to the physical cards rather than a replacement. Presenting an ID through Apple Wallet will enhance security and privacy by only sharing necessary information for transactions. For example, users can verify their age for alcohol purchases without disclosing additional personal details, such as their address.
Illinois will join ten other states and territories that have already adopted IDs in Apple Wallet, including Arizona, Colorado, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico. Giannoulias also plans to extend mobile driver’s licenses and IDs to other digital wallets, such as Google Wallet for Android users, in the future.
This bill is part of Giannoulias’s broader commitment to modernizing the Secretary of State’s office and aligning with other states that have established secure mobile ID programs.
For additional information on IDs in Apple Wallet, visit https://learn.wallet.apple/id.
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