SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today announced that the nation’s first REAL ID Supercenter in downtown Chicago will close December 28 after successfully fulfilling its mission of helping Illinoisans navigate the federal REAL ID deadline.
Giannoulias launched the REAL ID Supercenter, located at 191 N. Clark St., to eliminate confusion, reduce wait times and make obtaining a REAL ID faster, easier and more convenient for Illinois residents – all at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Since opening in March 2025, the Supercenter has completed more than 175,000 REAL ID transactions, playing a critical role in Illinois’ statewide REAL ID preparedness effort amid a surge of demand.
“The REAL ID Supercenter is an example of what government can accomplish when we recognize a challenge and act decisively to put people first,” Giannoulias said. “We faced an extraordinary moment at one of the busiest times in the office’s history and instead of allowing residents to face long lines, confusion and frustration, we developed an innovative and efficient solution that became a model for the nation.”
In addition to the Supercenter, the office’s REAL ID statewide effort also included expanding DMV appointment availability, introducing REAL ID Saturdays and launching a dedicated online portal to help Illinoisans determine whether they needed a REAL ID. As of late October, Illinois has issued more than 5.7 million REAL IDs.
Giannoulias credited the Supercenter’s success to the dedication, professionalism and extraordinary efforts of Secretary of State employees who stepped up to meet the challenge.
With the initial surge in REAL ID applications subsiding and demand returning to more manageable levels, the Supercenter has fulfilled its primary goal. The facility will remain open through Monday, December 28, and employees will be reassigned to other DMV locations.
While the Supercenter is closing, Illinoisans will continue to have access to REAL ID services at DMV facilities throughout the state.
REAL ID is a federal identification standard. Illinoisans who have a REAL ID or valid U.S. passport can use it to board domestic flights without having to complete additional identity verification at TSA checkpoints. Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, travelers arriving at TSA checkpoints without a REAL ID or valid U.S. passport have been subject to a $45 fee through TSA’s ConfirmID process.
Individuals applying for a REAL ID must do so in-person at an Illinois DMV and are required to present:
- A U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form is also acceptable. If you've changed your name, you'll need to provide name change documents.
- Proof of a full Social Security number (SSN). Examples include: a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub with your full SSN.
- Two current residency documents that list your full name. Examples include: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement.
- Proof of your signature. Examples include: a signed credit or debit card, canceled check, or current state driver’s license or state ID.
All documents must be valid and current, and original documents are required. Residents are encouraged to visit the Secretary of State’s REAL ID webpage to determine exactly which documents they need before visiting a DMV.
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