Kifowit-Sponsored Initiative to Streamline Veteran ID Cards Becomes Law

AURORA, Ill. – Continuing her advocacy for veterans, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, passed legislation to streamline the veteran ID process for the Secretary of State. Her legislation will make it easier for current and former men and women of our armed forces to obtain ID’s signifying they are veterans, and cutting away clerical mishaps and red tape.

“One complaint I always hear from fellow veterans is that the process to receive a veteran ID card issued by the Secretary of State’s office is flawed and difficult to manage,” said Kifowit. “Veterans are proud to have had the opportunity to serve our country and are honored to have the prestigious distinction on their ID cards and this legislation will make it easier for them to do so.”

Kifowit’s House Bill 3216 streamlines the process of the Secretary of State (SOS) to issue drivers licenses or identification cards (IDs) with the word “veteran” to qualified veterans by accepting a Department of Defense form DD-2 or a United States Department of Veterans Affairs summary of benefits letter without first requiring the veteran to have their paperwork stamped by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA).  

Kifowit believes that the current process to obtain a veteran ID is frustrating and requires too many steps that might prevent someone from even attempting to follow through the entire system. Kifowit’s legislation would streamline the process much like the Secretary of State’s process for veteran license plates.

“We have a successful method for veterans to receive their specified licenses plates from the Secretary of State and this legislation would take that process and similarly implement it for veteran ID issued by the same department,” said Kifowit. “It’s a simple fix for our veterans so they don’t have to continue to jump through more hoops just to obtain a veteran ID.”

The legislation passed unanimously through both the house and senate. Governor Pritzker signed it into law Monday.