Chinatown DMV to Transition to Appointment-Only Model Amid REAL ID Surge

Chinatown DMV to Transition to Appointment-Only Model Amid REAL ID Surge

Giannoulias Reiterates That Not All Illinoisans Will Need a REAL ID Before May 7 Enforcement Date

As a result of the unprecedented demand for REAL ID services, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office announced its Chinatown DMV will transition from accepting walk-ins to an appointment-only model to better serve customers and protect public safety.

The facility, located at 2250 S. Canal St. in Chicago, will serve customers with appointments from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Illinoisans can make an appointment for a visit to the Chinatown facility at www.ilsos.gov.

“After personally visiting this facility today and witnessing the dangerously long lines, mainly due to REAL ID confusion and misinformation, we’ve made the decision to switch our Chinatown facility to an appointment-only DMV. Our Chinatown DMV is our smallest facility in the Chicago area, and an appointment-based system will better protect and serve our customers. We will continue our efforts to inform the public on whether or not they need a REAL ID.”

Earlier this week, the office introduced a new designated “Get A REAL ID” portal on the homepage of its website – www.ilsos.gov – so Illinoisans can determine: 1) if they need a REAL ID before the May 7 federal enforcement period begins; and 2) how to find a walk-in location or schedule an appointment near them.

The office has also announced new Saturday hours at 12 DMV facilities exclusively for REAL ID services and expanded Saturday hours at six DMVs beginning March 1 through May 10.

The ‘REAL ID Saturday’ facilities that will accommodate exclusively REAL ID requests will be open on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Chicago West (5301 W. Lexington Ave.) and the following suburban facilities: Addison, Aurora, Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Melrose Park, Plano, St. Charles, Waukegan and Woodstock.

In addition, six DMV appointment-only locations currently open on Saturdays will expand their operations for an additional five hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Chicago North (5401 N. Elston Ave.), Deerfield, Lombard, Naperville, Schaumburg and Springfield (Wabash Avenue). Appointments at these facilities must be made in advance.

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