Statement from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Legislation Allowing Undocumented Immigrants to Obtain Driver’s Licenses

This commonsense legislation will allow individuals who are already driving to work, school and worship services to continue to do so in Cook County without fear of unnecessary and costly incarceration. Requiring all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, to be trained, tested, licensed and insured will make our roads safer and ease the burden on Cook County courts and the jail. In Cook County, more than 40,000 tickets were issued in 2012 to motorists for driving without a license. That amounts to roughly 10% of all traffic court cases. I commend House Rep. Edward Acevedo, Senate President John Cullerton and all other co-sponsors for their leadership on this legislation.”