LGBT rights advocates are calling upon Chicagoans to contact their aldermanic representatives on April 18 to register support for a municipal ID measure introduced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, that the council will vote on tomorrow.
Emanuel introduced the measure, which would cost about a million dollars if implemented, March 29. All Chicago residents would be eligible for the ID, regardless of of immigration or housing status, criminal record or gender identification and would be accepted by all city departments. The card would also allow transgender individuals to select the marker of the gender with which they identify.
While the city would retain the names of individuals applying for the ID, it would not retain their addresses. Washington, D.C., San Francisco and New York City are among the cities already offering municipal ID cards.
The measure was passed—after heated debate—by the Government and Budget Committee April 13, and will be voted on by the full council April 19.
See details on the ID here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/City-introduces-municipal-ID-ordinance/58645.html .
"While we have garnered much support from several aldermen, we are still facing some opposition," said representatives of Howard Brown Health in a statement. "We need your help in packing City Council Chambers during the vote to demonstrate that widespread support exists for this ordinance."
Chicagoans can locate their aldermen at www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/other/iframe/find-your-alderman.html .
