As the Real ID deadline approaches, Illinois residents are urged to understand the implications of this new identification requirement. The deadline is set for May 7, after which individuals will need a Real ID to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities.
Yet, amid the confusion surrounding the rollout of Real IDs in Illinois and across the United States, many residents are left wondering whether they even need one.
To determine if your driver’s license or state ID card is Real ID-compliant, simply check for a star displayed in the right-hand corner of the card. If you possess this star, you already have a Real ID.
The Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, has clarified that while Real ID compliant identification is required for flying, valid U.S. passports can also serve as an alternative. Furthermore, valid Real IDs will be necessary for entry into certain federal facilities.
However, Giannoulias emphasized that a Real ID is not mandatory for driving. He recommended that Illinois residents not planning to travel immediately after the May 7 deadline may want to postpone their trip to the DMV to avoid long wait times, which have recently surged.
The Secretary of State’s office has stated that obtaining a Real ID is
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