Oct. 10, 2018 is the original date for Illinois' compliance with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements for Real ID, but Illinois has been granted an extension to June 1, 2019. Once Illinois is determined to be in compliance, the deadline for actually having a Real ID card moves to October 2020. Real ID cards are expected to be available in Illinois starting in Spring 2019.
Not everyone will need a Real ID card. The most common need for Real ID cards is air travel; you will need a Real ID to board a plane. Real ID cards will also be required to visit a military base or a secure Federal facility.
Illinois has begun compliance with DHS Real ID requirements by moving to a centralized driver’s license (DL) application process. When someone applies for a new DL, they receive a temporary paper DL/ID valid for 90 days. For air travel, they also get their current DL back with a hole punch in it. After fraud checks, an enhanced DL/ID with additional visible and embedded security features is returned via US mail within 15 business days.
To apply for a Real IL, proof of identity is required. Applicants will need multiple forms of identity including a birth certificate or passport, proof of a Social Security Number, and two documents that prove current residency.
Thirty-six states and Puerto Rico are currently compliant. To see a map of Real ID State compliance status, visit: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
For more information about the Real ID program, visit the Department of Homeland Security FAQ page here: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-faq-implementation
State says Illinois driver’s licenses still valid for boarding planes
By Doug Finke, State Capitol Bureau, Sept. 12, 2018, The State Journal Register, online
(IL) Driver's License/State ID Card Central Issuance
Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, online
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