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August 11, 2004

Randy Nehrt

Secretary of State Jesse White offers Operation KidSafe IDs
during 2004 Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State Jesse White is pleased to announce that representatives from his office will once again be on hand at the Illinois State Fair to provide driver and vehicle services as well as showcase a number of special programs available to Illinois citizens young and old.

"I encourage parents to take advantage of an exciting new child safety program available at the Secretary of State Police tent," said White. "Operation KidSafe is a free service that provides parents instant access to their child's digital fingerprints and photo, which law enforcement officials need as quickly as possible after a missing child report is filed."

In Operation KidSafe, a child's photo and fingerprints are captured by a special digital video capture device, printed on a hard copy and then handed to a parent for safekeeping. The only record of the visit goes home with the family. Should the child become lost, a parent can then submit the Operation KidSafe security/identification document to law enforcement officials to assist with the search. The specialized equipment for this free child safety service travels the country and will only be in our area during the duration of the fair.

The Secretary of State Police tent is located just north of the Secretary of State tent, which is on Brian Raney Ave., near the southeast corner of the fairgrounds.

Secretary of State Police officers also will be available to answer questions and provide safety tips for children and parents on how young people can avoid compromising situations.

Fairgoers also are invited to stop by the Secretary of State tent to learn more about the many other programs and services provided by the office or to just get out of the sun and enjoy a cold drink of ice water. At the tent, license plate renewal stickers may be purchased for vehicles with expirations dates of August 2004 through September 2004, and random specialty plates, including Organ Donor plates, a variety of military plates, Route 66, America Remembers and Illinois Park District plates, also are available for purchase. Visitors also can renew a driver's license or state I.D. card, take vision and written Rules of the Road exams and apply to register to vote.

The Illinois State Library will occupy a booth at the southeast corner in the tent, featuring the State Library's newest initiatives to provide patrons with access to the collections of universities, public and corporate libraries, and the information systems of tomorrow.

At the Illinois State Archives booth on the west side of the tent, visitors can access the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, 1763-1900; the Illinois State Death Index, 1916-1950; and the Illinois Civil War Veterans database.

Also at the tent, visitors can register to join the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry and learn more about becoming a potential organ/tissue donor. A Back to School display on the south side of the tent offers materials for teachers and students, including a Teacher's Resource Guide with a list of Secretary of State publications available for classroom use. Free 2003-2004 Illinois Highway Maps also are available.

The Secretary of State tent is open daily during the fair from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Directly west of the Secretary of State tent is Kids Korner, where Secretary of State Jesse White is offering a free bicycle skills safety course for kids. This year, bicycles are being provided by generous donations from UFCW Local 881 and Jewel-Osco. Parents may register to win $100 gift certificates to Toys R Us, with drawings held daily. Kids Korner is open daily throughout the fair from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Illinois State Library's Automation and Technology Division returns to Tech Town on Central Ave., near the Coliseum, with an exciting new exhibit showcasing the Illinois Digital Archives (IDA). The IDA is a repository of digital images held by the State Library and other libraries throughout Illinois. The collection includes images of cultural and historic importance to Illinois and American history.

Seniors are invited to cool off and enjoy a variety of informational displays and activities at the air-conditioned Senior Center inside the Illinois Building near the main gate. At the Secretary of State booth, seniors can renew a driver's license, obtain a free, non-expiring photo I.D. card and have a vision screening. These services are provided by the Secretary of State's Mobile Driver Services van from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Those with visual and physical disabilities may access an online catalog of talking books, provided by the State Library's Talking Book & Braille Service.