SPRINGFIELD – Bipartisan legislation introduced by State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) and signed into law today by Governor JB Pritzker was created to help protect confidential documents submitted along with applications for driver’s license and state identification cards.

“Every person has the right to privacy and that applies to private documents you submit to the state as well,” Sandoval said. “Illinoisans should never be afraid that confidential information they give to the state will fall into the wrong hands and this legislation will help prevent this from happening.”

Senate Bill 1344 prohibits confidential documents submitted to the Secretary of State for driver’s license or ID card applications from being released through the Freedom of Information Act. The measure provides that these confidential documents may only be released to the following entities:

• The individual to whom the driver’s license or ID card was issued
• Officers and employees of the Secretary of State in charge of issuing driver’s licenses and ID cards
• Law enforcement officials for a criminal or civil law investigation
• Any other entity the Secretary has authorized by rule

The measure will go into effect immediately.