SPRINGFIELD - Illinois drivers could have to pay more for their license plates and registration renewals because of a new federal driver's license law.

A spokesman for Secretary of State Jesse White says lawmakers will have to decide how to pay for what's needed to comply with the federal Real ID act. But White won't push for increased fees.

"It's up to the General Assembly to decide how to pay for it," said spokesman Henry Haupt.

The Real ID act says all residents who want to board a plane or enter a federal building will have to have a nationally standardized identification card by 2013. States have to pay for the technology and staffing upgrades to be ready by May 2008.

White estimates that could cost Illinois taxpayers about $150 million over five years. The price tag could have been more, but Illinois already has bought some of the necessary advanced photo systems.

Like other officials around the country, White has called for Congress to foot more of the bill because it was the idea of congressmen. At a House committee meeting last week, lawmakers asked White how high he'd hike driver's license fees to cover the costs.

But he can't do that. Lawmakers have to.

"I cannot raise the fees by a penny, nor can I reduce the fees by a cent," White said. "So when that time comes, we will have to come back to you."

The chairwoman of that committee says she's not opposed to increasing fees if necessary.

"If there has to be an increase of a dollar here or two dollars there, I could certainly support it," said state Rep. Monique Davis, a Chicago Democrat.

She also says Congress should offer more financial aid to the states. State Rep. Shane Cultra, R-Onarga, agrees, but is opposed to raising drivers' fees.

"That's the administration's job, to figure out a way to pay for things," he said.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich will reveal his budget proposal Wednesday, which could include $22 million for next year to get Real ID adjustments started.