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Chicago Turns All Public School IDs Into Library Cards To Boost Student Access
(blockclubchicago.org)
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this post was submitted on 09 Apr 2026
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Why would you need an id for any of that
Edit: with lunch at least I could see it if it doubled as some sort of payment card or indicated free lunch, etc. But the others?
Yes it does. They may be used to indicate some privileges their parents agreed to like being allowed off campus for lunch. Or to check out books from the school library.
Tests? Absences?
No they aren't used for tests or attendance. You could totally function going to school without your ID on you and not get in trouble if you don't have it, you just might not get access to all the equipment and resources the school offers
I understand how it sounds like a police state thing but it has been a thing even when it was laminated paper. It is also only tied to the school and shows only a pic, name , student ID number and then obviously whatever school it is because they all have unique designs and layouts.
Also it's super fun if you hanged onto them every year!
It's really just a card that has your picture and student ID number, which is in effect the database key that links to that student's records. It might have an NFC tag for building/room access as well. There's lots of schools that have literal thousands of students, so an ID card is mostly a convenience thing.