Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's 2017 budget includes $1 million for a program to provide identification to people who have trouble getting official photo ID cards.
Emanuel and Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza announced the municipal ID program's launch Wednesday. The ID would be available to all Chicago residents, granting them access to city services, cultural institutions and programs.
Undocumented immigrants, the homeless and people who've served time in prison often have trouble getting photo ID cards. Mendoza says the municipal ID program can open "doors that may be otherwise closed." Her office will administer the program.
Details haven't been worked out, but the city says the IDs might be used for discounts at cultural institutions or as a library card at Chicago Public Libraries.
