Illinois Real ID Deadline: Here’s Who Needs One And Who Doesn’t

If you've been hearing a slightly larger buzz lately about Real ID here in Illinois, and how to go about getting yourself a Real ID, it's because there's a deadline approaching fast.

Maybe you didn't realize it, but the topic and discussion of REAL ID and when to implement it has been going on since back in May of 2005. That was when President Bush signed the REAL ID Act into law. Its purpose was and is to enhance US travel requirements by establishing minimum security standards for driver's licenses and state ID cards.

The problem is that we can't seem to set a deadline for compliance that we'll stick to here in Illinois, or anywhere else in the country. Actually, we can and do set deadlines, we've done it for years...then we move them a year down the road.

So, is the current May 7th, 2025 a hard deadline to have a Real ID card here in Illinois? Well...yes and no. The more important question to be asking yourself is "Do I really need a Real ID?"

The Deadline To Get Your Illinois Real ID Is May 7th, And Illinois Driver Facilities Have Been Seeing Huge Demand For Them--But Even The Illinois Secretary Of State Has Pointed Out That Not Everyone Will Need One, Especially If All You're Doing Is Driving

Apparently, part of the reason for the high demand for Real IDs at Illinois driver's facilities is due to some internet misinformation. In particular, the rumor that you will need one to drive your vehicle and that you'll be ticketed or arrested if you don't have one.

Totally false, according to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

NBCChicago.com:

"I don't want to discourage anyone from getting a Real ID, but the fact is that not everyone needs a Real ID on May 7-- and in some cases might not ever need one," he said. "However, if you do need one to fly on May 7 or 30 days beyond that date, I recommend getting one sooner rather than later."

Because of the current demand for Real IDs in Illinois, 12 DMV facilities are taking part in "Real ID Saturdays," where residents will be able to obtain a Real ID without needing an appointment. Find the list of DMV locations participating in the program here.

Since Being Signed Into Law In 2005, The REAL ID Deadline Has Been Extended Several Times, With The Last Three Extensions Being Caused By The Pandemic And Its Aftermath

However, as you can see, at least 3 of those deadline delays began over 10 years before the pandemic stopped everything in its tracks.

• 2009
• 2011
• 2014
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2024
• And now, maybe 2025 and 2026, too.

Keep in mind that the state of Illinois had nothing to do with the previous delays, and it won't be Illinois' fault if we get another deadline extension...which looks as though there's a very good chance it could happen.

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