Senator VillanuevaCHICAGO – To protect the privacy and safety of Illinois’ undocumented residents, a measure introduced by State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) that prohibits photographs taken for state IDs and driver’s license from being shared with federal immigration authorities was signed into law today.

“This is about building trust between our state government and undocumented communities,” Villanueva said. “It is impossible to build that trust if we are sending facial recognition data directly to authorities. Our state government doesn’t exist to serve ICE.”

The new law prohibits the Secretary of State from providing facial recognition search services or photographs with any law enforcement or governmental entity for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws.

Senate Bill 225 is effective immediately.