* I’ve put off getting one of these, so this is good news for me…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the federal REAL ID deadline an additional two years, from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. With this extension, current standard Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports for domestic air travel until May 7, 2025.
Illinoisans interested in applying for a REAL ID are encouraged to visit REALID.ilsos.gov and use the interactive document checklist. This checklist is designed to help ensure REAL ID applicants gather all the documents required by the federal government to obtain a REAL ID before visiting a Driver Services facility. First-time REAL ID applicants are required by DHS to visit a Driver Services facility in person.
Not everyone needs a REAL ID, and in Illinois, the Secretary of State’s office gives Illinoisans a choice. Illinoisans who do not fly domestically do not necessarily need a REAL ID. Additionally, a valid U.S. passport is a compliant REAL ID document; therefore, those with valid U.S. passports do not necessarily need a REAL ID.
As of Dec. 1, 2022, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office has issued more than 3 million REAL IDs.
Do you have one yet?
- Simple Simon - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:09 pm:
No, I travel with my passport. However, I’m getting my kids theirs and will get mine when the renewal comes.
- MisterJayEm - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:10 pm:
“those with valid U.S. passports do not necessarily need a REAL ID”
And this is what I needed to see.
– MrJM
- Chicago Republican - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:10 pm:
This all started in 2005. So by the time it actually goes into effect, 20 years will have passed.
- MisterJayEm - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:11 pm:
“Do you have one yet?”
No.
I directed my document gathering efforts into getting a much-overdue passport.
– MrJM
- 47th Ward - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:13 pm:
I got a passport card in addition to my passport. The card is a photo id that meets the requirements of REAL ID for domestic travel.
- Vote Quimby - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:14 pm:
I lived in Missouri at the time this was originally announced, so I went ahead and got a passport. With this latest delay, I will have to renew it before the law even takes effect.
- wildcat12 - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:17 pm:
Whew! I keep putting this off as well. I thought I would just get it done when I last went to get my license renewed, but the list of necessary items is intense, especially since I’ve had a name change (marriage).
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:21 pm:
My procrastination is once again rewarded with more procrastination.
- Donnie Elgin - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:23 pm:
An added benefit of REAL ID…
“Entering a military base or secure federal facility after May 7, 2025″
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:25 pm:
I have one, but in a twist, I’ve moved since then and never got it updated so it has a bad address on it. Our Global Entry cards are Real IDs too though
- Norseman - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:27 pm:
I’ll get it the next time my license is up for renewal.
- Occasional Quipper - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:34 pm:
I got one in 2019 to make sure I had it before the deadline. Whew, glad I hurried.
- twowaystreet - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:43 pm:
Nope, the facility I went to in 2020 didn’t offer REAL ID. At the time, it was a mess finding a facility providing the in-person services I needed and offered REAL ID. So, I just opt’ed to get what I needed and worry about REAL ID later.
- Curious citizen - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:54 pm:
I got one because I was an idiot and thought the federal government might really stick to a deadline. You’d think someone of my age would know better.
- cover - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
I got a Real ID at my last license renewal 2 years ago, not long after the driver service facilities reopened (by appointment only), so I didn’t have to contend with a long line. I rarely fly but I didn’t want to scramble to get a Real ID if I need to.
- Guy Probably - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
“Do you have one yet?”
Yes, but only earlier this year when my license was up for renewal. I have a passport, so didn’t feel the need to get it any earlier than I had to.
- Ebenezer - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:08 pm:
If we can kick it down the road for 20 years with no visible consequences, maybe its not that important.
Kill it.
- Moved East - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:08 pm:
Getting mine next week. This delay sure flies in the face of the reasoning that these IDs are needed for increased security at airports. Kinda makes you wonder if TSA was also unnecessary.
- former southerner - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:09 pm:
Not yet, I use my passport which is actually less bureaucratic than getting a “Real ID” driver’s license. And since it has now been 20 years since this “need” was established as part of the post 9/11 suite of protections, and we are somehow surviving another 2 year extension of the requirement, then there is pretty good evidence that it is just another feel good window dressing that should be ended.
- thunderspirit - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:11 pm:
– “Do you have one yet?” –
I do not, but I have a passport. I will probably get a Real ID next time I have to renew my drivers license, though my local facility wasn’t offering it last I checked.
- low level - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:14 pm:
Glad but they need to change the law back to what it was. If it csn be extended this much it obviously isnt needed.
- G'Kar - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:17 pm:
No, like others have mentioned, I just rely on my passport.
- OneMan - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
Yes, was able to take care of it in about 20 minutes at the Plano branch of the SoS. I have a passport and a Nexus card (the US/Canadian border card). But just easier to have to remember the DL when flying domestically.
- OneOpinion - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:34 pm:
Yes got mine — total time in the DMV was less than 15 minutes. If you bring what is required, it’s very simple and quick.
- CT Guy - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:35 pm:
Nope, and had been planning to get it finally attached with my Driver License, but Real ID was not possible with remote (off-site) SoS service.
Guess I can wait longer on it again.
- very old soil - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:35 pm:
I got my Real ID when I renewed my driver’s license a few years age. As I recall, there was no additional fee. My passport expires next year and the fee is $130.
- thisjustinagain - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:40 pm:
Yes, a couple of years ago. Figured I might want to hop a plane one day and see an out-of-state friend, so did it at renewal time. Signed, Ted Stryker.
- Aaron B - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:50 pm:
I wanted to get my RealID early this year when my license expired but I couldn’t get an appointment at my local ‘appointment only’ DMV so I just did renewal by mail.
I finally got the realID this summer when I moved house and needed to get my address changed. The process was really easy using the checklist available online and it was pretty easy to get a DMV appointment as long as I looked at the website before 8am. They definitely need to allow more appointments at the Bradley DMV though, there were maybe 2 or 3 other customers in there at the same time as me and there was nothing for half of the employees to do. Better yet just stop with the ‘appointment only’ BS. It only took a week or so to get my license in the mail.
- JoanP - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 2:55 pm:
I do. I got it a few years ago. I also have a passport, but would rather not carry that when I travel domestically.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 3:03 pm:
I have the Enhanced Driver’s License that lets me cross into Mexico or Canada by driving. It was one extra document from the standard REAL ID, so it made sense.
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
I got my real ID just before the first Covid lockdown and the facility I went to didn’t agree with the middle name that I have used since the day I got married in 1984 so they changed it. My own bank almost didn’t accept my real ID as proof. I did not know they could change my legal name.
- Retired SURS Employee - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
I got my Real ID years ago when I renewed my driver’s license. At this point, I’d like the deadline to stay put since I’m already in compliance and can’t believe that other individuals are still using a non-compliant drivers license. We do travel a lot.
- Amalia - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 3:56 pm:
Nope. Not yet. Maybe someday. Like maybe someday they will actually require it.
- Manchester - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 4:05 pm:
I had to renew my license in May and got the Real ID at that time. Also renewed my passport last Spring.
- Bruce( no not him) - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 4:27 pm:
I got mine the last time I renewed.
== If it csn be extended this much it obviously isnt needed.==
I agree with this. This has drug on so long, it seems to be unnecessary.
- Tim - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 5:15 pm:
Got mine in 2019 when my DL expired. I came prepared, no additional hassle or cost.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 5:43 pm:
Got one in very little time at the SoS facility in the late great JRTC. Helps to be a senior citizen, you get to cut to the front of the line….
- Chito - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 6:21 pm:
I got mine at LaSalle/Randolph in downtown chicago. It took less than 10 minutes.
- Banish Misfortune - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 6:33 pm:
Well, I had nothing else to do last summer, so I renewed my passport and for no reason whatsoever I also got a passport card which I now use at the airport.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 7:12 pm:
Were it not so bulky, I’d prefer using a passport.
- FormerParatrooper - Monday, Dec 5, 22 @ 8:07 pm:
Got mine a few years back. Wasn’t difficult to do. Have a passport as well. The military took a sample of my DNA. I think I am pretty identifiable now.