(MCT) — As many as 250,000 illegal immigrants would be able to get a special Illinois driver's license under legislation that appears likely to pass the state Senate next week.

Even though debate over a national immigration policy is still festering in Washington, Senate President John Cullerton maintained that Illinois needs the driver's license legislation to make the state's roads safer. The bill would set up the same driving and testing requirements for illegal immigrants that citizens getting a standard license face.