How To Get A Real Id In Illinois

Real ID-compliant driver's licenses in Illinois will display a gold star showing the holder has presented the necessary documents to obtain a Real ID.

The end of this month was supposed to mark the beginning of a new era for Illinoisans making their way through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at airports.

Federal Real ID requirements were previously scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1. However, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline was extended.

Now, those who typically rely on their standard Illinois driver's license or ID card to fly within the United States will have until May 3, 2023, to update their state-issued license or identification to one that is Real ID compliant.

With that in mind, here are five things you should know about Illinois driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards and Real IDs as we move forward.

Your expired card may still be valid

Those who have an Illinois driver's license, instruction permit or identification card with an expiration date between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2021 can hold on to it through the end of the year.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White extended the expiration date for those cards to Jan. 1, 2022.

"Extending expiration dates until January 1, 2022, means people with an expired driver's license or ID card do not need to rush into a Driver Services facility immediately," said White in announcing the extension.

However, commercial driver's licenses and learner's permits are excluded from the extension and will need to be updated.

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Online options for new cards

Many people can renew their Illinois driver's license or ID card online at www.ilsos.gov. You can also visit the website to see if you are eligible to renew your state-issued driver's license or ID card without visiting a facility in the state.

White's office is in the process of expanding who is eligible to take advantage of the online services. At the end of July, the secretary of state announced that his office would work over six months to expand remote renewal eligibility by approximately one million.

"During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner," said White in making the announcement. "Throughout this time, we also greatly expanded online services. This next step will allow many more people to renew their driver's licenses or ID cards remotely instead of visiting a Driver Services facility."

However, in order to apply for a Real ID driver's license or ID card you must visit a driver's license facility. Those looking to renew an instruction permit or a commercial learner's permit must also do so in person.

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Where and how to apply for a Real ID

Those who do plan to visit a local driver's license facility to apply for, replace or renew their state-issued ID or license are currently able to apply for a Real ID at the Springfield locations on South Dirksen Parkway and North Klein Street, as well as the Taylorville location on East Park Street. Or to find the nearest facility go to, apps.ilsos.gov/facilityfinder/facility.

In order to apply for a Real ID, applicants will need to bring proof of identity, date of birth and U.S. citizenship or lawful status. Name change documents — such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree — are also required, if a current name is different than the name that appears on an identity document.

Other requirements include proof of a full social security number, two documents with the address of a current residence and a document showing a written signature.

When the extended federal deadline approaches on May 3, 2023, applicants will only need a Real ID if you do not have a valid U.S. passport or passport card and use airplanes to travel domestically. After the deadline, Real IDs will also be required to visit military bases and secure federal facilities without a passport.

Facilities start going appointment-only

This month, a number of driver's license facilities in the state — primarily in the Chicago area — started requiring appointments for those applying for or renewing Real IDs, standard driver's licenses and ID cards.

In making the announcement about the expanded appointment pilot program — which currently includes 16 facilities in the state — started in an effort to address customer volume during the COVID-19 pandemic, the secretary of state's office noted that "larger central and downstate Illinois facilities will implement a customer scheduling system in the near future."

As part of the program, customers can visit www.ilsos.gov to schedule an appointment. Seniors, people with disabilities and expecting mothers are still able to receive service as walk-ins.

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Digital licenses in Illinois' future?

This week, former Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who is running to replace White as secretary of state, sent emails asking people to donate to his campaign to introduce digital driver's licenses.

"As we've come to rely more on our phones to prove identity and provide critical information, more than a dozen states have already implemented mobile driver's license pilot programs or are currently testing technology," the note in the campaign email states. "In addition, Apple announced earlier this month that eight states will be among the first, allowing residents to add their driver license or state identification card directly to their iPhone or Apple Watch within its Wallet app. We want Illinois to be added to the list."

While Giannoulias is viewed as the frontrunner in the race to succeed the retiring White, he is not the only candidate in the race for secretary of state who is in favor of the idea. Chicago Wald. 3 Ald. Pat Dowell made a similar proposal last month.

"Digital driver's licenses are more secure and more convenient," said Dowell, in outlining her proposal. "Whether at an airport security check, a traffic stop, or an age verification, a scan of a driver's license on your cell phone can quickly give accurate information and save officials and Illinoisans time and trouble."

Earlier this month, Apple announced that it is working with Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah to make state IDs and driver's licenses available to residents through its digital Wallet on the iPhone and Apple Watch.

Contact Natalie Pierre at npierre@gannett.com or on Twitter @NataliePierre_.