Legislation allowing Illinois residents to carry a digital driver’s license or ID on their smartphone will take effect in 2025.

The Illinois General Assembly unanimously passed legislation allowing motorists to download an electronic version of their driver’s license or identification card to their phones.

Residents will need to download a unique app on their phones in order to access the digital ID. Illinois will soon join the majority of states that are in the process or are already offering mobile driver’s licenses for use at stores and traffic stops.

The legislation also declares the mobile version of the identification card or driver’s license will not replace the physical copy and is not required but will instead work as a companion, allowing Illinoisans to use either format. There is an exception for law enforcement officials who may request the physical copy.

For those worried about the cost, the legislation states the fee to install the app and download the mobile license will not exceed $6.

TSA already allows fliers to use their mobile identification at airports, with other agencies sure to follow if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs the legislation into law.

This means Illinoisans will be able to stop worrying about forgetting or losing their licenses and will now be able to access them from anywhere with a few clicks.

Over the last four seasons, a different Mid-American Conference team has won the league’s championship game each year. Will that trend continue in 2024? Or, will we see one of the league’s recent powers lift the trophy again?

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On FanDuel, one team that has underdog odds to claim the championship is the Northern Illinois Huskies. Thomas Hammock’s team are currently +650 to win the title. They have the third-best odds to win the conference, behind Miami (OH) (+240) and Toledo (+290). Bowling Green are right behind the Huskies at +700.

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Northern Illinois have won the Mid-American championship game more times than any other program currently in the conference. NIU have won the title game five times in nine appearances. Their most recent conference title was in 2021. The MAC introduced a conference title game for the 1997 season.

The 2024 Huskies begin a new season on August 31 against FCS Western Illinois after going 7-6 last season and won the Camellia Bowl.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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ILLINOIS — Illinois is among the top five states for most Olympic gold medals produced, according to a recent ranking.

The Prairie State has produced more gold medals than most, according to the ranking from The Sports Geek, which excluded team sport wins.

California was No. 1 on the list, producing 127 gold medals since the Olympic Games began in 1896, the ranking said. New York was a distant second with 70 and Ohio was third with 44.

In fourth was Illinois with 40, followed by Texas with 34.

Of particular note among gold medalists who call Illinois home is track and field athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who attended Lincoln High School in East St. Louis and won three gold medals from 1988 to 1996, as well as one silver and two bronze, according to The Sports Geek. Joyner-Kersee broke the world record for the heptathlon in 1988 in Seoul, is still the only woman to win a heptathlon gold medal twice and was named the Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century by Sports Illustrated.

The U.S. has won more summer Olympic medals than any other country, with 2,635, The Sports Geek reported. Team U.S.A. will have the opportunity to add to that number in the coming weeks.

The 2024 Olympic Games run July 26 through Aug. 11 in Paris.