Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Make-work at the editorial board
Next Post: More from the legal front: AG Raoul, others file lawsuits over wind energy development freeze, dismantling of HHS
Posted in:
* Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias just called. Apparently, people are standing in line for hours because for some reason they believe that they won’t be able to obtain a REAL ID after Wednesday. So, he asked me to pass this along. Happy to oblige…
📢 REAL IDs will still be issued after May 7th! 🪪
Find out if you need REAL ID by using our new designated REAL ID portal ➡️ https://t.co/CrBSbDWEBI pic.twitter.com/roRFaoWIKg
— Secretary Alexi Giannoulias (@ILSecOfState) May 5, 2025
Please retweet and share far & wide:
WE WILL NOT STOP ISSUING REAL ID’S ON WEDNESDAY. THERE IS NO NEED TO RUSH TO A FACILITY IF YOU DON’T HAVE TO. We will be issuing REAL ID’s for the foreseeable future!!! Please, please check whether you need one: https://t.co/vPkI2JKC4C— Alexi Giannoulias (@Giannoulias) May 5, 2025
Have you heard about this myth?
…Adding… He’s gonna do a presser…
Giannoulias to Hold Briefing to Clear Up REAL ID Confusion
Unless Traveling by Flight in May, Most Illinoisans Do Not Need a REAL ID by May 7
Who:
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi GiannouliasWhat:
Secretary Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to get the facts about REAL IDs as many scramble to get one.Giannoulias will stress the May 7 “deadline” isn’t really a deadline. On May 7, Americans will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport, to board a domestic flight; however, DMVs will continue to issue REAL IDs after May 7.
Giannoulias noted if you’re not traveling after May 7, you probably don’t need a REAL ID right away. Given the recent surge at Illinois DMVs, Giannoulias advised Illinoisans who don’t need a REAL ID in May to consider holding off to avoid waits at facilities.
The primary reason for Illinoisans over the age of 18 to obtain a REAL ID is to fly domestically on a commercial aircraft after May 7. Individuals who have a valid U.S. passport, Military ID, Green Card, or Global Entry and those under the age of 18 will not need a REAL ID to fly.
He also announced the office is extending its REAL ID Saturdays program and REAL ID Supercenter until the end of May to provide more options to get one. Before visiting a DMV to get a REAL ID, Giannoulias urged residents to confirm that they actually need one.
Where:
Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IPF0OC4IQEaiFwU8IcZhfA#/registrationWhen:
Monday, May 5, 2025
1:30 p.m.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 5, 25 @ 11:59 am
Previous Post: Make-work at the editorial board
Next Post: More from the legal front: AG Raoul, others file lawsuits over wind energy development freeze, dismantling of HHS
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
I spend 2 hours at the Clinton drivers license facility on Friday so my son could get his license. Line out the door when we got there and when we left. 75% of the people to get their Real ID. When we finally got waited on they were telling people the wait is usually 3-4 hours and the line starts at 6:30am for a facility that opens at 7:30.
Comment by Neef Jr. Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:01 pm
No. Not rocket science. Stop waiting in ridiculous lines. Just don’t book a flight or do anything that requires extra security until after you get your REAL ID.
Comment by Norseman Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:22 pm
Maybe Secretary Giannoulias would have been better served running PSA’s with this information months ago.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:28 pm
SOS could probably do a better job of communicating this. I heard the rumor a few weeks ago when my 21 yo asked if she has a Real ID (lol). I’ve heard horror stories on wait times ever since.
Comment by Politix Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:30 pm
To the question - I have not heard this myth, but I chalk it up to poor communication and reading skills.
May 7th is the date by which the feds will begin enforcing the Real ID requirements at airports and federal facilities. If you aren’t going to an airport or a federal facility on May 7th, then that deadline really does not apply to you.
I think people are confused by this and for some reason equate the Real ID deadline as the last day by which they can obtain a Real ID.
Such widespread misunderstandings could have been prevented with more effective communication and explanation of the process.
Comment by Remember the Alamo II Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:32 pm
==SOS could probably do a better job of communicating this.==
I doubt it; I think it has more to do with people not taking the time to read/listen to the messaging that has been out there for years and that has been ramping up this winter and spring. “You will need this to get on a plane after May 7.” Has been pretty clear, but it seems to have registered with many people as “You will need this May 7.”
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:45 pm
This is what you get when an ignorant constituency believes rumors over facts.
Comment by Henry Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:45 pm
What @Henry stated plus 1
Comment by JS Mill Monday, May 5, 25 @ 12:57 pm
Pro-tip: if you have a passport, you have a REAL ID.
But if you don’t have a current passport, you’ll need to get a REAL ID before your next flight.
I had not heard the rumor, but we’ve been talking about REAL ID since the mid-2000s. Now the deadline is here. Time to get it done, but unless you are flying this week, the deadline doesn’t really matter.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:00 pm
=== Pro-tip: if you have a passport, you have a REAL ID. ===
Yes, indeed. And when I last renewed my passport, I asked for a passport card, so I now have two REAL ID.
When my DL expires, I will get a third REAL ID
Comment by Yes, indeed Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:12 pm
I get that it is document intensive. But the Sec of State website has a perfect checklist, which you can print out, and gets you ready. You don’t need one unless you don’t have a passport and want to get on a plane. I watched people in line who were clueless. says more about the education level of people than it does about the process.
Comment by Amalia Monday, May 5, 25 @ 1:24 pm
I think his message is a bit misleading. There are some federal buildings that said they will only accept RealID after May 7. So I wouldn’t limit the need to flyers.
Comment by Lurker Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:24 pm
No amount of PSA’s can counteract what one reads on Facebook and chooses to believe.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:33 pm
The real I d act was passed in 2005. This is a real and urgently need law evidently /S
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:36 pm
=Real ID=
Illinois lags its midwestern peers in terms of the percentage of folks with Real ID…
At the start of 2025, about a quarter of credentialled Illinois residents had obtained their Real ID cards. By April, that figure had increased by only about 10%, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
Max Walczyk, communications manager, said that Illinois began an awareness campaign about the Real ID deadline in May 2024.
https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/got-your-real-id-millions-of-midwesterners-still-dont-have-the-new-more-secure-cards/
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:41 pm
===was passed in 2005===
One of the main reasons for the lag was Illinois, which couldn’t get its act together. So, its implementation was delayed time and again.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 2:45 pm
Got a letter stating I needed to renew. I needed an eye exam. Went to the Naperville office a few weeks ago and was able to get an appointment day of online. Was very busy but in and out in an hour. I didn’t need a real id, I have a passport, but got it anyway. Everyone there did a good job and was trying their best to help all they could.
Comment by GoneFishing Monday, May 5, 25 @ 3:07 pm
If this supposed “real ID deadline” was Wednesday, then why couldn’t all of the old SOS facilities in Springfield remain open until sometime after the 7th? Even if it meant delaying the opening of the “super DMV” or whatever it’s called on Dirksen for a couple weeks.
Comment by Leatherneck Monday, May 5, 25 @ 3:10 pm
Why would they STOP giving them out as soon as they become mandatory? It makes no sense.
Comment by Perrid Monday, May 5, 25 @ 3:32 pm
Thank goodness he’s been focused on food additives and other non-SOS issues to build his profile. No more tummy time videos or rehab workout videos. Take a lesson from Jesse and make the office run efficiently and effectively.
Comment by 4 percent Monday, May 5, 25 @ 3:42 pm
===Take a lesson from Jesse and make the office run efficiently and effectively===
Jesse’s office was the reason this didn’t get done a decade ago.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 25 @ 4:09 pm