Illinois Ready to Issue REAL ID Compliant Drivers Licenses

REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses in Illinois will display a gold star showing the holder has presented necessary documents to obtain at REAL ID.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Mar 29, 2019

After years of delay, Illinois is ready to comply with federal REAL ID laws that allow Illinois residents to board airplanes and enter secure federal facilities after next year.

Secretary of State Jesse White said that while the state will begin issuing driver's licenses and identification cards that comply with REAL ID, there is no need for people to do anything yet. Current licenses and IDs are valid for domestic air travel and entering secure federal facilities through Oct. 1, 2020. 

"I encourage residents to know their options and make choices that is right for them between a standard driver's license or ID card or a REAL ID card," White said.

Some Illinois residents may decide that a REAL ID is unnecessary for them if they do not fly often as you would still be able to board an aircraft without a REAL ID so long as you had a valid passport.

A REAL ID license or identification card while have a gold star in the upper right corner signifying that the holder has complied with the REAL ID requirements.

REAL ID was passed by Congress in 2005 and required all states to comply with uniform federal standards for the cards. Many states needed to obtain extensions from the federal government to comply with the law. Illinois is now one of 39 states in compliance.