SPRINGFIELD - Even though the Illinois House and Senate have both voted to oppose a federal driver's license law, the state still will have to start paying for the federal program soon.

Under current rules, states would have to begin implementing the federal Real ID program by May 2008. It requires that U.S. citizens have a standardized identification card in order to board a plane or enter a federal building.

The state Senate approved a nonbinding rebuke of the federal law Tuesday by a 33-23 vote. The House voted along similar lines earlier this spring.

But those votes don't carry the weight of law. So the state will have to put the program in place beginning with this year's budget, unless changes are made at the federal level.

Secretary of State Jesse White's office is asking for $22 million this year to continue putting Real ID in place. But now that lawmakers are apparently opposed to the federal mandate, spokesman Dave Druker is worried they won't pay for it.

"I think we just have to take stock now and re-evaluate the situation," Druker said.

Other states also have taken steps to oppose the act, urging new Democratic Congressional leadership to change it. Many have worried that a federal database that would accompany a federal ID card would create identity theft problems.

Others, though, say it's a key security measure to prevent terrorist attacks.

"This thing is really about the security of our country," said state Sen. John Millner, R-Carol Stream.