* Press release…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that beginning Tuesday, May 19, seven facilities will be offering drive-through services for vehicle registration sticker transactions ONLY. This is the first step in a comprehensive reopening plan that will be announced shortly and will include the proper protections for customers and employees, such as PPE and social distancing.
The seven drive-through facilities are Chicago North, Chicago South, Chicago West, Rockford-Central, Macomb, Springfield-Dirksen and Tilton. These facilities were selected due to the configuration of the buildings which allowed for drive-through transactions. All employees will wear face masks and customers are encouraged to do the same.
“My commitment is to do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents, while providing services to the people of Illinois,” said White. “This first step in a reopening plan adheres to this commitment.”
• Hours of operation at Chicago North, Chicago South and Chicago West will be Monday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash will not be accepted.
• Hours of operation at Rockford-Central, Macomb and Tilton will be Tuesday 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon.
• Hours of operation at Springfield-Dirksen are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
White continues to urge the public to renew their vehicle registration stickers online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com for those customers that can do so. Since mid-March, more than 600,000 people have renewed their stickers online, an increase of approximately 65 percent. Many customers may also renew their driver’s license online through the Safe Driver Renewal program, as well as obtain duplicate driver’s licenses and ID cards.
White is reminding the public that all expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle registrations have been extended at least 90 days after Driver Services facilities reopen.
White also reminded the public that the federal government extended the REAL ID deadline by one year. White had petitioned the federal government for this extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline is now October 1, 2021.
- Just Me 2 - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 11:31 am:
Any news on the emissions testing facilities? I saw on the news that the one I go to is now a COVID testing facility. I can’t renew my vehicle until I get my test.
- Huh? - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 11:43 am:
Have used the drive up facility at SOS office on dirksen several times. Usually spend more time driving around trying to find the east side of the building than doing the transaction to renew the sticker. Once there, very fast and convenient.
- RNUG - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 12:17 pm:
That’s nice but those transactions could be easily handled by mail or online or, often, at your local bank.
It’s the more complex stuff they need to figure out how to handle
- the Edge - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 12:24 pm:
They should waive the emissions testing for a year. Isn’t it true the pollution levels have dropped dramatically in the last two months? Plus, you tell me, but when did a car that is less than 5 years old fail an emissions test.
- CardsFan - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 12:51 pm:
Ordered my license plate sticker online in April. It was a very easy process and I had within a week.
- Chatham Resident - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 12:56 pm:
Did my sticker renewal online on May 4. Got the new sticker in the mail on the 8th.
When the rest of the facilities open I have to update my driver’s license after a recent move. However, I have to wait until they reopen due to having to show proof of address change. Also, I’m thinking I’ll go ahead and get Real ID on my DL, so I’ll have quite a wait when the facilities reopen.
- Cassandra - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
There is still the problem of the driving part of the licensing test. The driver and examiner are going to be in close proximity in the car for, I would guess, at least 15 minutes.
Many of the drivers being tested will be older.
A couple of years ago I sat next to a lady in her 80s while waiting for something at the SOS. She said she had to get tested every couple of years.
Her husband no longer drove so, she said, she had to be able to drive.
I’m not saying I have the answer. But both the drivers and the examiners would seem to be at risk in these situations.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 1:31 pm:
===Isn’t it true the pollution levels have dropped dramatically in the last two months?===
Not in Chicago. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-met-covid-chicago-air-quality-20200514-rqam273qqfbmnfsyn3vzm4f45e-story.html
- cermak_rd - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 2:11 pm:
Cassandra,
Why not have a requirement that both driver and tester wear faceshields (I wear one while welding or soldering and my glasses do not get in the way) and the windows are down the whole time? Also I would waive the requirement for testing for anyone who isn’t getting their license back after losing it to do moving violations or getting it back for the first time.
- Cassandra - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 2:42 pm:
Providing, controlling and disinfecting face shields could be a lot of work for the SOS. Would they want to take that on.
Does the examiner have to be in the car for the test. Perhaps they could reconfigure the test temporarily to allow the examiner to observe the person driving from outside the car.
I hope it’s a while before I have to do this. Maybe the vaccine will come first.
- Chatham Resident - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
Interesting choice on Macomb as the western Illinois drive thru facility. With no closer locations nearer the Quad Cities or Peoria.
I would have suggested Galesburg (unless drive thru isn’t possible at that facility) as an alternative to Macomb that is closer (and on interstate) from the QCs and Peoria. Then I forgot about the Quincy area–hence why I now understand the Macomb site choice.