Secretary of State Jesse White offers Free Digital Fingerprinting and Photos for Kids during 2005 Illinois State Fair
SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State Jesse White is pleased to announce that representatives from his office will once again be at the Illinois State Fair to provide driver and vehicle services and to highlight the many other public services available to the people of Illinois through his office.
"I encourage parents to visit the Secretary of State Police tent to take advantage of our exciting new child safety program," said White. "This free program provides parents with a take-home copy of their child's digital fingerprints and photo, which law enforcement officials can use if a missing child report is filed."
At the tent, state-of-the-art digital equipment and software is used to capture a child's photo and fingerprints, which are printed on an information sheet that parents can complete with their child's other vital information. The only record of the visit goes home with the family for safekeeping. Should the child become lost, a parent can submit the security/identification document to law enforcement officials to assist with a search.
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.
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.
At the Secretary of State tent, fairgoers can purchase license plate renewal stickers for vehicles with expirations dates of August 2005 through September 2005, as well as purchase random-number specialty plates, including Organ Donor, Illinois Route 66, America Remembers, Prevent Violence, Environmental, Pet Friendly, Firefighters Memorial, Police Memorial, Illinois Park District and a variety of military plates. Visitors also can renew their driver's licenses or state I.D. cards, take vision and written Rules of the Road exams and complete a voter registration application.
The Illinois State Library booth features the library's newest initiatives to provide the public with access to the collections of university, public and corporate libraries, and the information systems of tomorrow.
At the Illinois State Archives booth, 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 an organ/tissue donor. A Back to School display 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 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.
Kids Korner
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. Bicycles are provided by generous donations from UFCW Local 881, Jewel-Osco and Schnucks. Parents may register to win $100 gift certificates, with drawings held daily. Kids Korner is open daily throughout the fair from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Senior Center
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 their driver's licenses, 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 (TBBS), and learn more about other programs and services provided by TBBS for the print disabled.
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