The Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is strongly urging residents who still need a REAL ID to take advantage of the final Saturday of expanded hours at the Secretary of State office on Joyce Road, Joliet, IL and or the Supercenter in Chicago Loop before TSA’s new $45 penalty takes effect on Sunday, February 1.
“This Saturday is the final chance to take advantage of expanded hours on Saturdays at our REAL ID Supercenter in Chicago Loop to avoid TSA’s $45 penalty,” Giannoulias said. “To make it as easy as possible to get the REAL ID, we’ve added expanded Saturday hours, opened hundreds of new appointments, and partnered with the Cook County Clerk’s office to streamline the process in Chicago. Don’t wait until it’s too late – act now and secure your REAL ID before the penalty kicks in.”
Starting February 1, TSA will begin charging airline passengers an additional $45 if they don’t have a REAL ID or valid U.S. Passport to board a domestic flight.
Saturday, January 31 will be the last opportunity for Illinoisans to take advantage of expanded REAL ID service, including:
- Expanded hours for REAL ID walk-in at Joliet DMV on Joyce Road are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Expanded hours at the REAL ID walk-in Supercenter in Chicago’s Loop: Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 500 additional REAL ID DMV appointments at 15 locations across the state.
- Expanded hours at the Cook County Clerk’s downtown office location for walk-ins and appointments: Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The REAL ID Supercenter will remain open during weekdays for walk-in services.
Since launching Get REAL Illinois, the office has seen a surge in REAL ID adoption. In 2025 alone, the Secretary of State’s office issued 1.5 million REAL IDs, pushing the statewide total past 5 million. Compliance has jumped from 29% this time last year to nearly 44% today.
