Secretary of State Jesse White wants to remind Illinoisans that the federal REAL ID mandate takes effect on October 1st of 2020. For Illinois residents who fly domestically, in order to do so, you have to use a valid U.S. passport or obtain a REAL ID from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. There are some things to remember with the REAL ID. You don’t need a REAL ID if you have a valid U.S. Passport, military ID, or other acceptable identification from TSA. If you don’t fly domestically or visit secure federal facilities, you don’t need one either. 

If you do want a REAL ID you need to bring proper documentation which you can find online at www.realid.ilsos.gov.  That documentation includes one document providing identity, one document proving your social security number, and two documents proving residency in Illinois, and one document with a signature. You can still use your regular ID to fly until October 1st, 2020.  After that, though you will need your REAL ID. You can get more information on the REAL ID at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website at dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs.