Illinois Real ID Deadline: Here’s What You Need To Get One

The clock is ticking, but whether or not you're feeling any pressure to get an Illinois Real ID probably has a lot to do with what sort of person you are when it comes to traveling, particularly traveling by air.

If you're someone who routinely flies several times per year, then the Illinois Real ID is not only something you should have, it's something that you'll soon find you must have. If flying and/or visiting places like federal and state facilities, courthouses, prisons, or nuclear powerplants is not something likely to happen in your life, I wouldn't sweat getting the Real ID card.

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

The May 7th deadline for this year is still in effect, but enforcement of Real ID rules may not happen right away at Illinois' airports. There's been discussion of "phased in" enforcement, which would result in one to three warnings about needing a Real ID before you're actually told you can't board your flight.

Federal and state law enforcement has not decided fully on how enforcement of Real ID will work.

NBCChicago.com:

What exactly the "phased approach" would look like remains undecided.

One example offered by TSA would allow agencies to issue "warning notices" that would act like a "three-strikes" system to "enable agencies to begin enforcement without immediately denying access to individuals with noncompliant identification on the card-based enforcement deadline."

"Agencies may choose to refer to the notice issued to an individual presenting a noncompliant card for the first time as a 'warning' and a notice issued on a subsequent instance counting against that individual's limit as 'counseling.' Upon the third instance, the individual would be issued a 'final' notification that their State-issued DL/ID is noncompliant and can no longer be used for the REAL ID official purpose

Let's Break It Down To Make It Easier On All Of Us Who May Be Wondering What To Do About An Illinois Real ID

Let's start with the question of who needs one and who doesn't.

You'll need a Real ID if:

• You do NOT have a valid US Passport or Passport card
• You use air travel as a mode of domestic transportation
• You visit military bases or secured Federal facilities

You will NOT need an Illinois Real ID if:

• You have a valid US Passport (you can fly without a Real ID, but not visit military bases or secured Federal facilities)
• You DO NOT use airplanes as a mode of domestic transportation
• You DO NOT visit military bases or secured Federal facilities

Okay, You've Decided That You'll Be Needing An Illinois Real ID--Here's What To Bring To Your Appointment

According to the Illinois Secretary Of State's Office, you'll need:

1. Proof of identity and U.S. citizenship or lawful status. Bring in one of the following documents: an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate; a U.S. passport or passport card; an Employment Authorization Document, Form I-766; a Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551; or an unexpired foreign passport with affixed visa and approved Form I-94. For a complete list, please view the Acceptable Identification Documents Chart.
2. Proof of full Social Security number (SSN). Bring in one of the following documents: a Social Security card; W-2; pay stub or printed electronic deposit receipt bearing your name and full SSN; SSA-1099 Form; or Non-SSA-1099 Form. Original documents are required.
3. Two (2) residency documents. This includes documents such as a utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage bill or medical document. Hard copy documents are required. Images from a cellphone are not accepted, but you may print the image (ex: bank statement) and provide the printed copy. For a complete list, please view the Acceptable Identification Documents Chart.
4. Proof of signature. This includes documents such as credit/debit card, cancelled check or current Illinois DL/ID. For a complete list, please view the Acceptable Identification Documents Chart.