SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Secretary of State’s office has noticed an increase in foot traffic in its Driver Services facilities.
The office is responding by expanding its remote renewal program for driver’s licenses and ID cards.
Spokesperson Beth Kaufman says notices will be sent to approximately 1 million more people allowing them to renew their driver’s licenses and ID cards online, by phone or by email. Letters will be mailed to those who qualify beginning in September until the end of February 2022.
Kaufman says during the pandemic, the Secretary of State’s office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner. But, this next step will allow for remote driver’s license and ID card renewal instead visiting a Driver Services facility in person.
The office is also expanding the program allowing drivers in the Chicago area to apply for renewal of driver’s licenses or REAL ID’s and behind-the-wheel road tests by appointment.
Larger central and downstate Illinois facilities will implement a customer scheduling system in the near future. Kaufman says many small, rural facilities will not require the appointment system because they do not encounter the heavy foot traffic the larger facilities have.
As a reminder, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has extended all driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to Jan. 1, 2022. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.
