What to know about getting a REAL ID in Illinois ahead of Wednesday’s deadline​on May 7, 2025 at 9:05 am

CHICAGO (WLS) — The line outside the Loop Super Center Tuesday morning snaked throughout the Loop for several city blocks as hundreds of people rush to get their hands on a REAL ID in anticipation of the TSA’s May 7 deadline.

“Like Thursday, it was late in the day, at least three blocks long,” Marlon Madison said. “So you’ve got to get up early and get here.”

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The TSA is warning travelers that as of Wednesday, they will no longer be able to fly using a state-issued driver’s license that is not a REAL ID.

“I’m in the suburbs, and there are no appointments available, so I had to drive 50 minutes to come downtown today to come and get the REAL ID,” said Janiyah Branch.

By the time the doors opened at 7:30 a.m. at the REAL ID Super Center on Tuesday, there was already a line wrapped around the block.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias answers REAL ID questions.

“It’s a very long, long, long process, but you know we’re gonna get it done,” Izabella Vidallo said.

Many brought chairs around 4:30 a.m. knowing the wait they had in store.

“I got up at like 3:30 today,” Vidallo said. “I was here just yesterday. I came at like 7:30, and it was not a very good idea.”

“I couldn’t get an appointment, and because I travel a lot for work and church, I had to hurry up and get it in when I could. If it was a line, it was a line,” said Michelle Morton.

“We procrastinated, and we’re going next month, so got to get this done quick,” said Paul Lefebvre.

Leilah Sampson drove 2.5 hours from Bloomington-Normal after waiting three hours on Saturday, she said, only to be told she was missing a required medical record that might impact her ability to drive.

“I feel awful, because I didn’t know,” Sampson said. “Nobody told me until I made it all the way inside, got to the camera, took my photo, and then someone said, ‘Oh, you need a medical report.'”

Many people said they have big travel plans coming up.

“I booked a flight, a hotel, a $2,000 cabana in Miami to visit my mother for Mother’s Day and I’ll be out of $3,000 if I don’t get this ID today by Friday,” Sampson said.

“My birthday is coming up Friday, so I need to travel. I need my ID,” Vincent Perez said. “No passport yet.”

“I live in the area, and I don’t have a car. And I’m traveling in July, so,” said Olivia Pertchi.

Congress passed the 2005 REAL ID Act in response to the threat of terrorism.

States have been working to meet the security requirement for driver’s licenses and identification cards they issue.

“I stood line two blocks around and this is my fourth hour and I just got done and almost didn’t get it,” said Ernest F. Ledbetter III.

The deadline, however, will apparently not be entirely enforced. That means those people who have applied for a REAL ID but are still waiting for it to arrive in the mail may be able to keep their short-term travel plans.

“If it’s not compliant, then may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “We will make sure that it is as seamless as possible.”

Noem also reminded people over the age of 18 who do not yet have REAL IDs that they can still fly using other federally recognized IDs, such as a valid passport, military ID, Green Card or Global Entry Card.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias on Tuesday reminded people that May 7 is a TSA deadline, and it is not necessary for most who have been waiting in these long lines to do so.

“We’re begging people not to come to the Super Center. There’s this misnomer that’s becoming dangerous that if you don’t get a REAL ID by today or tomorrow, you won’t be able to get it. We’re issuing them forever. There is no need to come this week unless you absolutely need it,” Giannoulias said.

With the Super Center office closing at 5 p.m., Giannoulias himself, along with Secretary of State workers, started warning folks to stop lining up around 4 p.m.

Giannoulias walked the long lines throughout Tuesday to help clear up any concerns.

“We will be issuing REAL IDs for the foreseeable future, throughout the summer, probably forever,” Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. “So 90% of the people in line probably don’t need to be in line.”

Unfortunately for Myriam Larson, she made it to the front doors of the Real ID Super Center just to see them close.

“I was in the line for like I don’t know, forever, and right when I’m about to get in… they said no, no I have to wait until tomorrow,” Larson said.

Noem also told members of Congress on Tuesday that 81% of people who fly already have their REAL IDs.

Giannoulias says approximately 35% of Illinois residents have a REAL ID.

READ ALSO | How long does it take to get a REAL ID?

Here are the requirements to apply for a REAL ID in Illinois:

1.A U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form is also acceptable. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to provide name change documents.

2.Proof of a full Social Security number (SSN). Examples include: a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub with your full SSN.

3.Two current residency documents that list your full name. Examples include: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement.

4.Proof of your signature. Examples include: a signed credit or debit card, canceled check, or current state driver’s license or state ID.

Illinois has an interactive checklist to make sure applicants don’t forget anything. The checklist can be found here.