The REAL ID deadline is fast approaching, and the Illinois Secretary of State’s office is expanding services to meet the unprecedented demand.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the launch of a REAL ID Supercenter in Chicago, at 191 N. Clark Street in the Loop.
Starting Wednesday, March 12, the facility will offer walk-in services—no appointment needed—from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to a release.
Equipped with 30 service counters, the supercenter aims to bridge the gap between appointment-only locations and the surge in demand for REAL IDs.
“To meet the demand for REAL IDs and ease the strain on our DMV operations, we’ve established a REAL ID Supercenter in the Chicago Loop to offer quick, walk-in service before the May 7 federal enforcement deadline,” Giannoulias said in a statement.
He also noted that many Illinois residents may already have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification and urged the public to check their status before visiting the supercenter.
In February, the Secretary of State’s office expanded appointment availability at select DMVs across Chicago and the suburbs, leading to a record-breaking 10,641 REAL IDs processed on Saturday, March 8.
Not sure if you need a REAL ID? Check out our guide on REAL ID requirements before heading to the supercenter. For more details, visit the Secretary of State’s official REAL ID page.