ST. LOUIS – Members of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen are proposing an ID card for city residents for those who have insufficient government-issued identification.
Board Bill 137 was introduced Nov. 22 by Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez (Ward 6) and is cosponsored by Board President Megan Green.
The bill introduced the ID cards, named Gateway Cards, which would allow those who don’t have government ID’s—such as those who have unstable housing or were recently incarcerated—to still receive city-administered services, according to Velazquez.
“When people lack government-issued identification, it creates a barrier to access much-needed services and resources, such as housing, healthcare, and education, which limits economic prosperity, slows innovation, and reduces urban vitality,” the bill states.
In a hearing on the bill Tuesday, Velazquez raised the attention that 5,000 city residents have sought assistance in obtaining an ID in 2022.
Gateway Cards would be free to residents of St. Louis City. It would not replace drivers licenses or other ID’s used for voting, purchasing age-restricted products, or be valid for presence of status.
Validity of the ID would last five years for minors, 10 years for adults under 65 years old, and indefinitely for those over 65 years old.
According to the bill introduction, the initiative would be funded through a series of grants, private partnerships, and general revenue funds. It is estimated the program to cost around $270,000 over the first three years for staffing salaries with four employees and start-up costs. That budget also includes the making of 7,500 cards per year, Velazquez said.
During the meeting, some committee members raised their concerns about the ID cards being too easily accessible and needing tighter restrictions so the program is not taken advantage of, but at the same time, accommodating those who don’t have any proof of photo ID to apply for the Gateway Card.
“We want to make it flexible…but we obviously have some language in there to prevent fraud,” Velazquez said in the meeting.
Other cities like New York and Chicago have implemented the program, with Kansas City also joining the list this year.