SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Bill Cunningham advanced legislation which will formalize the use of mobile identification while strengthening protections for residents’ personal devices.

“As more residents use digital IDs, our laws need to reflect that reality,” said Cunningham, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “This measure modernizes our statutes while making sure individuals’ rights and personal devices remain protected.”

Senate Bill 3449 would update state law to align terminology and requirements related to mobile identification, ensuring clarity and consistency as digital ID technology becomes more widely used. In addition to formalizing mobile IDs, this bill would prohibit any relying party, including law enforcement, from physically taking a person’s phone to verify a mobile ID. The provision would ensure individuals maintain control of their personal devices during the verification process.

“So much of our personal information, passwords and sentimental value is stored within our phones,” Cunningham said. “People shouldn’t have to hand over their phones just to prove their identity, nor can we allow critical personal information to fall into the wrong hands.”

Senate Bill 3449 passed out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday.