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CHICAGO, IL_ The meeting opened with a short play: A Mexican family is driving along with norteno music on the radio when they are pulled over by the police. One of the children translates for his father and explains to the police officer that he has no license. The officer lets him off the hook with a warning. A week later the same officer pulls over the same family. The boy tries to convince the officer that they're a different family, but the officer recognizes them. The family ends up running from the law.

It was a simple story, but one that hit so close to home that it left some community members laughing, and others crying at a public meeting held by the Northwest Neighborhood Federation (NNF). In early June, 200 community leaders demanded from three of their area councilmen to introduce a resolution to the Chicago City Council urging the State of Illinois to pass legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses. NNF leaders won their demand and the resolution was introduced on June 27.

"Many of my friends, relatives and I are undocumented and drive to work in the suburbs out of necessity," said Andres Hernandez, a NNF leader. "We want to be able to drive legally, safely and with dignity." Currently, undocumented immigrants cannot obtain a driver's license in Illinois without a social security number. If passed, the legislation would allow undocumented immigrants to use a tax identification number as a substitute.

A tax id number is very easy to obtain, even for undocumented immigrants, because it allows them to pay income tax. The bill has the support of both documented and undocumented residents, as it would allow all drivers to purchase auto insurance. It would also allow the state to keep track of all driving offences. "I was recently hit by an undocumented driver," said Simona Gonzalez, a licensed driver. "He has nothing to lose, while my insurance has to cover the damages. There's no accountability."

According to the National Association of Independent Insurers, uninsured drivers cost Illinois drivers about $110 million annually. These costs are particularly high in Chicago, where there is a high concentration of uninsured drivers. The resolution is a large step forward in the Federation's campaign for immigrant rights. If passed, it will send a strong message to Illinois and the nation that immigrants have a voice that must be reckoned with.

"It's like David against Goliath," says John Viramontes, a Federation board member. "We're a local community organization making an impact at the state level and that's pretty exciting." "Illinois is a progressive state, and we should be setting an example for the rest of the country," Viramontes added. The Federation's immigration agenda includes workers' rights, higher education, healthcare and ultimately, general legalization for undocumented immigrants. Similar legislation on Driver's Licenses for undocumented immigrants has already been passed in Utah and Tennessee.