PEORIA, Ill. – New Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says he wants to continue to modernize — and, when possible — digitize his office.
Giannoulias says he is aware there’s an aging population that might not want to do things like renew drivers license or other things digitally, but there are plenty who do.
“What we want to do is, by bringing new technology in to those who don’t want to have to go through that (in-person) process, they can do it online,” said Giannoulias. “Things like electronic car titles, for example, which the State of Illinois has never had. If (someone) sells me a vehicle, it can take a month to get that title. We want to do it so that title could be in that person’s hand in 30 minutes.”
Giannoulias tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” that includes something several other states already do — make the drivers license digital so it can be on your smart phone.
“It’s going to happen eventually. Other states already have it,” said Giannoulias. “Basically, you pull up your phone, your drivers license or your I.D. will be on there. It helps us update information virtually. The state of Arizona, for example, is the 9th state to have the drivers license on an Apple Wallet. When you go to board a plane, everything’s on your phone — boarding pass to a license.”
Giannoulias says digitizing the office will make it quicker for people who want to do everything the old-fashioned way.
Giannoulias was elected in November, 2022 to replace Jesse White, who retired. He visited Peoria Thursday to meet with employees at the office here on Sheridan Road.
