Illinois Must Fix 1 in 5 Non-Citizen Trucker Licenses in 30 Days or Lose Funding

Nearly 1 in 5 commercial driver's licenses for non-citizens in Illinois were issued incorrectly. This is a big problem that needs fixing fast.
By Newsroom | Government, Transportation |

Concerns Mount Over Driver Safety and Licensing Compliance

Federal officials have issued a stern warning to Illinois regarding its system for issuing commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to non-citizens. An audit by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) found that a significant number of these licenses were issued improperly, raising questions about road safety and adherence to federal regulations. The state has been given a strict deadline to rectify the situation or face potential consequences, including the withholding of federal funding.

Timeline and Key Players

The issues brought to light stem from a broader federal initiative to ensure the integrity of CDL issuance across the nation. Following a series of deadly crashes and concerns about unqualified drivers operating commercial vehicles, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the DOT, launched a nationwide review of how states issue licenses to non-domiciled individuals.

Read More: Labor Secretary's Husband Banned From Building After Touching Reports February 2026

DOT: Illinois Latest Haven for Illegal Immigrant Truckers As Number of Licenses Issued Is Jaw-Dropping - 1

  • U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) / Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): Conducted the audit and issued directives to Illinois.

  • Sean P. Duffy: Identified as leading the audit and issuing ultimatums to states, including Illinois.

  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker: Recipient of the federal warning and responsible for implementing corrective actions.

  • Kevin Duesterhaus: Identified as the Illinois Director of Driver Services, also a recipient of the federal communication.

The audit specifically examined "non-domiciled" CDLs, which are commercial licenses issued to non-citizens who may not be permanent residents.

Evidence of Non-Compliance

The FMCSA's review of Illinois's program uncovered significant issues:

DOT: Illinois Latest Haven for Illegal Immigrant Truckers As Number of Licenses Issued Is Jaw-Dropping - 2

  • Approximately one in five (20%) commercial licenses issued to non-citizens were found to be improperly issued.

  • Two primary categories of errors were identified:

  • Licenses where the validity period extended beyond the driver's authorized stay in the U.S.

  • Licenses issued without Illinois adequately verifying the individual's lawful presence.

  • In one instance, out of 150 licenses issued to non-residents, 29 were flagged as illegally issued.

"Illinois has 30 days to come into compliance and revoke the illegally issued licenses—or risk losing $128 million in federal highway funding." - The Epoch Times, citing DOT

Federal Mandates and State Response

The DOT has demanded specific corrective actions from Illinois within a 30-day timeframe:

  • Immediate Pause: Stop issuing non-domiciled CDLs.

  • Identification: Identify all active non-domiciled CDLs that do not meet FMCSA regulations.

  • Revocation and Reissuance: Revoke and reissue noncompliant non-domiciled CDLs according to federal requirements.

Failure to comply could result in the withholding of millions of dollars in federal highway funding.

DOT: Illinois Latest Haven for Illegal Immigrant Truckers As Number of Licenses Issued Is Jaw-Dropping - 3

Broader National Context

Illinois is not the only state to face scrutiny. The FMCSA's nationwide audit has identified similar compliance failures in at least eight states so far. Other states, including California, New York, and Pennsylvania, have also been part of this federal review. This initiative was partly spurred by concerns highlighted by a 2025 executive order aimed at improving truck driver roadway safety.

Concerns Regarding Driver Eligibility

A core issue appears to be the verification of a driver's lawful presence and the duration for which their licenses are valid.

Read More: Essex County School Buses Cancelled for 3 Mornings in a Row Due to Fog

  • Some identified licenses were valid well after the driver's authorized period of stay in the U.S. had expired.

  • In some cases, states did not verify a driver's immigration status before issuing a CDL.

  • Reports mention instances of individuals not eligible for licenses, such as Mexican citizens, being issued commercial licenses. This raises questions about the integrity of the licensing process for a substantial number of active non-domiciled CDLs.

Expert Analysis

While the provided documents do not include direct quotes from independent experts, the findings from the U.S. Department of Transportation highlight a significant regulatory oversight. The agency's actions underscore a national effort to standardize and strengthen the processes for issuing commercial driver's licenses, particularly to foreign nationals, with a stated goal of enhancing road safety. The potential loss of federal funding serves as a strong incentive for states to address these compliance gaps.

Conclusion and Implications

The U.S. Department of Transportation's audit has placed Illinois under a microscope regarding its issuance of commercial driver's licenses to non-citizens. The finding that nearly 20% of these licenses were issued improperly signals a systemic issue that requires immediate attention. Illinois Governor Pritzker and his administration have a critical 30-day window to implement the mandated corrective actions.

Read More: Judges and Lawmakers Question FBI and Justice Department Evidence Accuracy in 2025

The implications are twofold:

  • Public Safety: Ensuring that only qualified and legally present individuals are operating large commercial vehicles is paramount to reducing the risk of accidents.

  • Financial Repercussions: The state risks losing substantial federal highway funding, which could impact infrastructure projects.

The outcome of this ultimatum will reveal Illinois's commitment to regulatory compliance and its ability to manage its driver licensing system according to federal standards. This situation is part of a larger, ongoing federal effort to address similar licensing issues across multiple states.

Sources Used:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the U.S. government looking closely at Illinois's driver's licenses for non-citizens?
The U.S. Department of Transportation found that about 20% of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) given to non-citizens in Illinois were issued the wrong way. This means some drivers might not be legally allowed to drive trucks or stay in the U.S. for that long.
Q: What specific problems did the audit find with Illinois's non-citizen CDLs?
The audit found two main issues: licenses were given out for longer than the person was allowed to stay in the U.S., and Illinois did not check enough to make sure the person was legally in the country before giving them a license.
Q: What does Illinois have to do to fix this problem?
Illinois must stop giving out these licenses right away. They also need to find all the licenses that were given out wrongly, cancel them, and then re-issue them correctly. They have only 30 days to do this.
Q: What happens if Illinois does not fix the problem in 30 days?
If Illinois does not fix the issues with the non-citizen CDLs in the next 30 days, the state could lose $128 million in federal money for highways. This could affect road building and repairs.
Q: Is Illinois the only state having this problem with non-citizen driver's licenses?
No, Illinois is not the only state. The federal government has found similar problems in at least eight other states as part of a larger check on how licenses are given out across the country.