The Illinois Senate will consider a bill Nov. 18 that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s license in the state.

SB67, as amended, will allow people who are not eligible to have a Social Security number to obtain a driver’s license in the state, provided they meet certain requirements. However, the licenses for those drivers would look different than a regular Illinois license, and the law would not apply to commercial driver’s licenses.

The bill is similar to one that became law in California earlier this year.

California Gov. Gray Davis signed SB60 Friday, Sept. 5, only two days after it was sent to him by the General Assembly. The bill, written by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, allows people who are not eligible for Social Security numbers to submit other documents deemed acceptable to the state to get a driver's license. Those documents could include a federal taxpayer identification number or a birth certificate from a foreign government.

The Los Angeles Times reported recently the change would directly affect an estimated 2 million drivers in that state.

The Chicago Sun Times, quoting state officials, estimated 500,000 to 700,000 undocumented immigrants live in Illinois. Sixty percent of those immigrants, the newspaper said, are old enough to drive.

Both Illinois and California officials cited safety reasons for supporting the measures. Having a driver’s license would allow illegal immigrants to purchase insurance, for example.

The Illinois Senate considered the bill Nov. 6, but delayed a vote until the second veto session Nov. 18.