CHICAGO – To better serve undocumented and immigrant communities, legislation introduced by State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) that would allow municipal ID cards to be used to access state services and facilities was signed into law today.

“All residents of Illinois, regardless of immigration status, should be able to receive essential state services,” Villivalam said. “Today Illinois renews its commitment to undocumented and immigrant communities that we are the most welcoming state in the nation.”

The new law allows municipal ID cards, such as Chicago’s CityKey, to be accepted as a secondary form of identification to access state services and facilities. According to the Chicago City Clerk, the state currently does not accept CityKey as a form of identification on any state applications or entry to state buildings to apply for state benefits such as SNAP and WIC.

Senate Bill 2460 is effective immediately.