Travelers who don’t have a REAL ID will encounter new fees at O’Hare security come 2026—but the Illinois Secretary of State’s office is stepping in to help.
Here’s all your questions answered!
How much is the new TSA fee and when does it go into effect?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced that passengers without a REAL ID or other compliant form of identification will need to pay a $45 fee in order to verify their identity through the TSA Confirm.ID system
The fee will go into effect beginning February 1, 2026, according to a release.
Is the fee mandatory?
The $45 verification process is the only option for travelers without a REAL ID who wish to fly on or after February 1, 2026.
While the alternate verification is technically optional, those who opt out of the process and do not present a valid form of ID will not be permitted to fly.
What’s the fastest way to get my REAL ID in Chicago?
The quickest way to get your REAL ID in Chicago is by visiting the REAL ID walk-in Supercenter located in the Loop.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has announced it will extend its lease on the supercenter through the end of 2026, affording citizens plenty of time to obtain their new identification.
“We’re doing everything possible to remove barriers, save people time and make getting a REAL ID simple and stress-free. With a REAL ID in your wallet, you avoid TSA’s penalty entirely and skip a massive travel headache.”
How do I know if my ID is REAL ID compliant?
It’s been almost a year since the REAL ID bill went into effect, so you might need a brief refresher on what constitutes a compliant ID. Here’s the breakdown.
REAL ID-compliant Illinois drive’s licenses have a gold star in the upper righthand corner. If your driver’s license does not have this star, it is not a REAL ID.
However, you may be in luck. The TSA accepts several other forms of ID in lieu of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
U.S. passports and passport cards are also REAL ID compliant, in addition to several other forms of ID.
Click here to view the TSA’S full list of REAL ID compliant identification forms and learn more information.