Fight For REAL ID Appointments Intensifies In IL, 'REAL ID Saturdays' Added

ILLINOIS — With the REAL ID federal enforcement day quickly approaching on May 7, the Illinois Secretary of State office has announced expanded REAL ID services, including a new supercenter in Chicago.

The new facility offers walk-in service exclusively for REAL ID at 191 N. Clark St. in Chicago. The facility is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said.

The supercenter has 30 individual service counters to supplement the unprecedented demand for the REAL IDs.

Illinois residents who are 18 and older must show a REAL ID, a passport or other federally approved identification to board domestic flights or certain federal buildings when enforcement begins on May 7.

The REAL ID law, passed in 2005 in response to the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, strengthens national security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

Using the slogan "Don't Rush The Date. REAL ID Can Wait," the Illinois Secretary of State stressed that not everyone needs a REAL ID before May 7, particularly if you are not flying domestically or visiting a federal facility before May 7.

"Most Illinoisans do not need one before May 7, and they can still get one after that date. Before visiting the supercenter or any of our DMVs, I urge you to confirm that you actually need a REAL ID by visiting realid.ilsos.gov," Giannoulias said in a release.

You may not need a REAL ID if you are one of the following:

• Individuals who have a valid U.S. passport, global entry card or military identification and those under the age of 18 will not need a REAL ID to fly domestically on a commercial aircraft or visit certain federal facilities, such as a military base or federal courthouse as of May 7.
• REAL IDs are not mandatory for driving a vehicle or required for valid identification or proof of citizenship.
• Illinoisans will still be able to apply for a REAL ID after May 7 and non-REAL ID identification – driver’s licenses and state IDs – will remain valid until the printed expiration date.

The Secretary of State has also increased the number of available daily appointments by nearly 2,500 at the 44 appointment-only DMVs in Chicago and the suburbs.

Earlier this month, the office also introduced REAL ID Saturdays, extending hours at six DMV appointment facilities and opening 12 others exclusively for REAL ID walk-in services through May 10, according to a release.

The REAL ID Saturday facilities are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chicago West (5301 W. Lexington Ave.) and the following suburban facilities: Addison, Aurora, Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Melrose Park, Plano, St. Charles, Waukegan and Woodstock. These DMVs offer non-appointment, walk-in services on Saturdays.

Six DMV appointment-only locations have expanded Saturday hours to 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Chicago North (5401 N. Elston Ave.), Deerfield, Lombard, Naperville, Schaumburg and Springfield (Wabash Avenue). Appointments at these facilities must be made in advance.

According to the Secretary of State, TSA has not provided details on how it plans to enforce the REAL ID Act once the enforcement date arrives, suggesting it will implement a “phased enforcement approach” over a two-year period, which could allow travelers to board flights with warnings about the requirement.

To get a REAL ID in Illinois, you must bring proof of a full Social Security number; two current residency documents that list your full name; and proof of your signature.