A new law signed this week will ensure that any person being released from the Department of Corrections or Department of Juvenile Justice has a valid state identification card upon release, a commonsense act that will help low-level offenders secure employment, housing and establish financial stability.
Senate Bill 3368 requires the Secretary of State to issue a standard Illinois ID card, at the time of their release, to any person being released from the DOC or DJJ who present their birth certificate, Social Security card, or other documents authorized by the Secretary, and two proofs of address. For individuals without these documents, the Secretary of State will issue a limited-term, 90-day ID to released individuals who present a verified document from DOC/DJJ with their name, birth date, Social Security number, and proof of address. They then have 90 days to present this ID at the Secretary of State to receive a standard issue ID.
The new law is one of the recommendations made by the Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform convened by the Governor to reduce the state’s current prison population by 25 percent by 2025.