Shapiro, Cohen and Basinger, Ltd. Backs a Bill to Allow Illegal Immigrants to Drive Legally
Politicians in Springfield are getting together to pass a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, undergo driver training and to obtain insurance. Opponents claim that giving immigrants these privileges will only encourage illegal immigration to Illinois but Shapiro, Cohen and Basinger, Ltd. backs the legislation for the following reasons. First, no one is going to move to Illinois just because they can get a driver’s license here. There are far more complicated reasons why people want to immigrate to the United States and they locate within the U.S. where they have relatives and where there are jobs – not where they can get driver’s licenses. Second, whether they are given driver’s licenses or not, immigrants need to get places and they are going to drive whether or not they are licensed. Would it not be better to have them properly trained in the rules of the road and properly licensed? Third, from the perspective of our firm, if one of our clients is hit by an illegal immigrant, they often have no insurance which presents a significant problem for the injury victim. Allowing illegal immigrants to purchase insurance will help them and will help any potential victims of an accident. So let’s be realistic and practical and pass this legislation.