Chicago Mayor Emanuel Backs Driver Licenses for Undocumented

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is throwing his weight behind a state bill that would allow illegal immigrants to get driver licenses.

Emanuel, President Obama's former chief of staff, says the bill will force immigrants to get training and force them to carry auto insurance, which he argues is good for all motorists in Illinois. Many of the city's Latino and Hispanic groups have supported Emanuel's call for passage of the proposed state law.

The bill would allow issuing temporary visitor's driver licenses to illegal immigrants and is similar to legislation in several other states. Utah and New Mexico saw their uninsured motorist rates plummet after they allowed licenses to undocumented drivers.