Illinois rolls out REAL ID-compliant licenses, ID cards

Illinois residents now have the opportunity to apply for identifications cards that meet strict new federal security requirements. The new cards are compliant with the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress back in 2005. The measure set federal standards for identification cards in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. New cards can be requested across the state beginning this week. “With REAL ID, Illinois residents have a choice,” said Henry Haupt, deputy press secretary with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. “They have a choice between applying for a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card or keeping their current standard driver’s license or ID card. That choice is there forever.” Haupt said no one will be forced to upgrade. And, in fact, the existing licenses and IDs will be sufficient for a number of Illinois residents. “If you don’t fly domestically and you don’t visit military bases or secure federal buildings, you don’t need a REAL ID,” Haupt said. “You can keep your current driver’s license, which will work just fine for you.” Illinois residents still can use existing state-issued cards for boarding domestic flights or entering federal facilities until October 2020. Passports also will remain an option for traveling by air or accessing federal buildings.