Bill
SB 3495
Illinois IDs, licenses, and permits can designate male, female, or X, with a streamlined gender designation form to change the marker.
SB 3495 (104th General Assembly, Illinois) — ID CARD-GENDER DESIGNATION
Overview
- Purpose: Modernize gender designation options on Illinois identification documents (ID card, driver’s license, and permits) to include an "X" option in addition to "male" and "female," and establish a streamlined process for changing the gender marker through a gender designation form.
- Introduced: February 5, 2026 by Sen. Laura Ellman. Includes co-sponsorship and procedural references to amendments and committee actions.
Main Provisions
1) Gender designation options
- The bill requires the Secretary of State to permit applicants to designate sex as "male," "female," or "X" on:
- Illinois identification cards
- Driver’s licenses
- Permits
- This applies to both initial applications and changes to an issued card/license/permit.
2) Gender designation form for changes
- To change the sex listed on an issued ID/driver’s license/permit, an applicant must submit a gender designation form.
- Form contents:
- Name, current license/ID number (if applicable), and residential address (as reflected on record)
- Gender designation statement allowing the designation of "male," "female," or "X"
- Attestation: sworn statement (under penalty of perjury) that the request reflects the applicant’s gender identity and is not for fraudulent or unlawful purposes
- Signature or mark
- The Secretary of State may not require additional questions, documentation, or verification beyond the gender designation form.
3) Implementation timeline and scope
- The gender designation option ("male"/"female"/"X") must be available on the first issuance of a digital driver’s license/ID card system, and upon implementation of the new or revised system procured from a prior digital license/ID program (post-Jan 1, 2020).
- For an initial ID/driver’s license, the sex designation is chosen on the application; if identity documents show a different sex, a gender designation form must be submitted.
- If changing gender on an issued card/license, a gender designation form is required.
4) Veterans and other designations
- Veteran designation: The bill retains the process for adding a veteran designation to IDs and driver’s licenses, including acceptable proofs (e.g., DD-214, VA benefits letters). The Secretary must share certain veteran data with the Department of Veterans Affairs and implement verification steps if status cannot be confirmed.
- Gold Star designations: Provisions exist to allow Gold Star Family designation spaces on IDs/licenses, potentially with waived fees or deposits to the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund if not waived.
5) REAL ID and proof of status
- REAL ID compliant cards still require proof of lawful status in the U.S.
- For applicants without SSNs, alternative documentation (e.g., certain foreign documents or consular IDs) may be accepted under specified conditions.
Impacted Parties
- Illinois residents applying for or renewing identification cards, driver’s licenses, or permits.
- Applicants seeking to reflect non-binary gender identity on official documents.
- Veteran and Gold Star designation recipients (existing processes retained or clarified).
- Departments: Secretary of State (administrative implementation) and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (data sharing and verification for veteran status).
Procedural/Timeline Notes
- The gender designation option is tied to the deployment of a specific digital license/ID system, including a post-2020 RFP implementation timeline.
- The bill references existing anniversaries and prior acts for related veteran and REAL ID provisions, with amendments proposed to integrate the new designation option.
Overall, SB 3495 adds a non-binary "X" gender designation option to Illinois IDs and licenses, simplifies the change process via a targeted gender designation form, and preserves existing veteran, Gold Star, and REAL ID procedures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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