Illinois
Everything Illinoisans need to know about the Real ID ahead of 2025 deadline
Upgrade your license now for domestic flights in 2025
Are you Real ID ready? If not, you have around one year to upgrade your driver’s license to Real ID if you plan to board a domestic flight next year.
In less than one year, Illinois residents 18 and older will be required to have a Real ID card in order to board planes and to enter certain federal facilities.
“I strongly encourage residents who intend to fly to get their REAL ID as soon as possible to avoid future headaches,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a news release. “Our DMV facilities stand readyto help customers get their new driver’s licenses and identification cards before the federal deadline.”
In charge of administering the licenses in the state is the Illinois secretary of state’s office, who said only 23.5% of Illinoisans had the license as of May.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Real ID.
When is the deadline to have a Real ID?
May 7, 2025, is the deadline set by the federal government to have the license created under the REAL ID Act in 2005 — a post-9/11 security measure.
Are Real ID’s mandatory?
No, if you have a valid passport, military ID or other federally approved identification, you don’t need a Real ID to board a plane or enter certain federal buildings.
How do I apply for the license?
Those applying for a REAL ID card first need to either make an appointment or walk-in to a secretary of state DMV facility. The SOS website shows what facilities require appointments.
More: ‘This is history’: Supporters urge Springfield Race Riot site to become national monument
What do I need to apply for a Real ID?
You will need to provide proof of your identity, your full Social Security number, signature and have two documents showing your current residency. A full checklist of requirements can also be found at the SOS website.
How much does a Real ID cost?
The fees for a Real ID are the same as a standard driver’s license/ID. More information can be found on the SOS website.
Who needs a REAL ID?
The Transportation Security Administration will not any accept identification besides the Real ID, meaning no passengers attempting to board planes without it will be permitted. It is also required to enter military bases or visit nuclear power plants, per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Air travel and visiting these facilities will still be allowed if the individual can present a valid US passport, which is compliant with the REAL ID.
Do I need a Real ID to vote?
No. You don’t need a Real ID to vote or do any of the following:
- Drive
- Open a bank account
- Apply for/receive federal benefits
- Enter a federal facility that does not require IDs like a post office
- Visit a hospital
Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
The Joliet City Council on Thursday approved plans for a 795-acre data center, which would be the largest such facility in Illinois.
The proposed site would go in a rural field right next to the Chicagoland Speedway at the intersection of Rowell and Bernhard roads. That’s where 24 buildings housing the equipment would be built. The developer, HW Technology Park Development LLC, said the project would be up and running in 2030.
“This annexation agreement sets clear expectations for infrastructure, services, and community benefits while helping ensure the project moves forward in a responsible way,” Joliet City Manager Beth Beatty said in a statement. “It also delivers substantial new revenue for local taxing bodies and longterm financial benefits for the community.”
At a public hearing on the data center on Monday, Joliet officials listened to several hours of comments from the public, mostly from people opposed to the data center over concerns about its impact on health and utility bills.
“I just want to make sure that when we make decisions that are huge like this, that we have all the information,” said Sean Richards, who lives in neighboring Lockport and believes the new data center would have broader impacts and health risks for kids. “The people in here that are voting yes or no, I did not elect them, but yet they are making decisions that will directly affect people in Lockport, and New Lenox, and in Elwood and other municipalities.”
ComEd officials said the energy needed to keep the center operating would not raise electric bills for residents or businesses. The developer said no water would be needed to cool the facility, only to get it up and running. They also said it could bring Joliet $2 billion in tax revenue.
Joliet officials estimated the project would create 7,000 to 10,000 construction jobs and 700 permanent jobs. The developer also has pledged $100 million to improve sidewalks, streets, and other city services in Joliet.
March Madness is underway and today’s college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer’s NBA draft class. The 2026 draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Illinois’ Keaton Wagler is expected to go in the first round.
Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the guard’s draft night will play out.
Keaton Wagler 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 7 overall, Atlanta Hawks
All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
After trading away Trae Young, the Hawks could find their point guard of the future in Illinois standout Keaton Wagler using a first-round pick they received from the Pelicans. The 19-year-old guard scored 46 points while shooting 9-of-11 on 3-pointers against No. 12 Purdue on Jan. 24. He projects as one of the best 3-point shooters in this class, shooting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman this year. The Big Ten Rookie of the Year is a cerebral basketball player who is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Keaton Wagler player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Guard
- Current Team: Illinois
- 17.9 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds per game
- 4.4 assists per game
- 44.6% field goal percentage
- 40.2% three-point field goal percentage
Atlanta Hawks 2026 projected draft picks
- No. 7 (via NOP), No. 22 (via CLE) and No. 57 (via BOS)
All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection
Illinois
Student helps submit IL legislation that would require male, female CPR training in high schools
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A high school student says she’s determined to change the status quo when it comes to CPR training.
She is working with state lawmakers to have female manikins used during the training.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
Ashlynn Goldstein, 18, wants to take something that’s rare and make it the norm.
“I think we need to break that barrier. I think we need to be OK with change,” said Goldstein, a Naperville Central High School senior.
What started as a project for class became an opportunity to save the lives of girls and women.
Goldstein was researching gender disparity in medicine when she realized there was lack of manikins that were female.
“There was a study I saw where it said only 5% of the manikins that were sold on the market were female,” Goldstein said.
SEE ALSO: Video shows sheriff’s deputy save man’s life after I-90 crash in Chicago
According to the American Heart Association, women are 27% less likely to receive bystander CPR than men because of hesitancy to follow protocol, fueled by fears of inappropriate touching, exposing the chest or drawing accusations of sexual assault.
“I believe that they were scared to explore and change what they were doing. They were scared it wouldn’t work,” Goldstein said.
So she created the change herself. Working with the school and state representatives, she put forth a bill that would require both male and female manikins to be used in CPR training in high schools across Illinois.
“I really try to impress on teenagers is they have immense power that they can wield at any time,” teacher Seth Brady said.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we were all trained to save a life no matter the sex, right?” said Shelly Amato, with WorldPoint.
Goldstein’s work caught the attention of WorldPoint, a medical supply store based in Crystal Lake that donated eight new manikins to the school.
“We’re really adamant that no, the male, female needs to be standard with every manikin,” Amato said. “We saw a need, and we wanted to meet it.”
The company offers female and male manikins as a package deal, sending a clear message to those like Goldstein that change is coming.
“Anyone can do CPR on a female,” Goldstein said.
The bill is currently up for discussion in the Education Policy Committee with the hope it will become law.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Deadly meningitis outbreak prompts college students to call for campus shutdown
World Baseball Classic final attracted historic viewership with over 10M watching on FOX
Fox News AI Newsletter: Wall-climbing robots swarm US Navy warships
Commentary: Ted Cruz and his GOP colleagues are pushing yet another tax break for the 1%
Nexstar finalizes acquisition of Tegna’s TV stations, despite opposition
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
‘Nobody can blackmail us’: Leaders excoriate Orbán’s veto
Trump is dismantling democracy at ‘unprecedented’ speed, global report finds
4 House Dems vote against Women’s History Museum bill over biological women-only amendment, Republican claims
Iran attacks cut 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity for up to 5 years: QatarEnergy
Cursive is back. But should students be learning the skill?
-
Oklahoma5 days agoFamily rallies around Oklahoma father after head-on crash
-
Detroit, MI1 day agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Nebraska7 days agoWildfire forces immediate evacuation order for Farnam residents
-
Georgia4 days agoHow ICE plans for a detention warehouse pushed a Georgia town to fight back | CNN Politics
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMassachusetts community colleges to launch apprenticeship degree programs – The Boston Globe
-
Alaska5 days agoPolice looking for man considered ‘armed and dangerous’
-
Colorado1 week ago‘It’s Not a Penalty’: Bednar Rips Officials For MacKinnon Ejection | Colorado Hockey Now
-
Southwest1 week agoTalarico reportedly knew Colbert interview wouldn’t air on TV before he left to film it