SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)- The Illinois Secretary of State's office plans to offer IDs in Apple Wallet to Illinois residents by the end of the year, Secretary Alexi Giannoulias announced on Monday.

This capability will allow residents to easily and securely add and display their driver’s licenses and state IDs both in-person and through apps using their iPhone or Apple Watch. This announcement follows legislation that took effect at the beginning of the year, which authorized the Secretary of State’s office to initiate this work. The plan includes strong testing requirements to ensure that the office delivers the most secure and private product for Illinois residents, according to Giannoulias.

“We’re excited to have kickstarted our work with Apple – a company that shares our commitment to data security – to provide IDs in Apple Wallet that will offer convenience and privacy for Illinoisans,” said Giannoulias, whose office pushed for the legislation enabling the development of mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs in Illinois. “This is the first component of a multi-faceted approach to deliver a state-of-the-art mobile driver’s license and state ID program that leverages best-in-class technology for residents.”

When the program launches, Illinois residents will be able to use their driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet for a convenient and secure way to present identification.

Users can add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to show it in person, eliminating the need to take out their physical card or hand over their device.

The Secretary of State's office has created a sign-up page for Illinois residents to receive updates about the mobile driver’s license and state ID program, as well as when IDs will be available in Apple Wallet.

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Anyone interested can visit www.ilsos.gov/mDL to sign up.

The Secretary of State's office states that mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs will not be mandatory; they will serve as a companion to a physical card, rather than a replacement.

When using Apple Wallet, only the essential information for the transaction is displayed. The user is given the chance to review and authorize the requested information using Face ID or Touch ID before sharing it. This allows holders of a mobile driver’s license or ID to verify their age when legally purchasing alcohol or renting a car, without having to disclose other personal details, such as their address.

Illinois joins ten states and territories that have adopted IDs in Apple Wallet, including Arizona, Colorado, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Puerto Rico.