SPRINGFIELD – Drivers will hopefully be able to choose a gender-neutral option to put on their driver’s license or ID cards, thanks to Elgin Democrat State Senator Cristina Castro.

Castro’s measure would allow applications to choose between “male”, “female” or “non-binary” when defining their sex on their driver’s license or ID card.

“It has always been stressed that our driver’s license and state ID cards should be as accurate as possible,” Castro said. “Allowing a gender neutral option only helps to make it more accurate. It has been long enough, and it’s time for not only the state, but its agencies to adapt.”

Currently, eight states and the District of Columbia offer a gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses and ID cards. 

House Bill 3534 passed both chambers and now awaits action by the governor.