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.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Multiple rounds of severe storms impacted central Illinois on Wednesday bringing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain. Our area was sparred from the worst of the tornadoes, but areas south of I-72 were not so fortunate with damage to homes and injuries reported.
An outflow boundary from our morning storms struggled to get any further north than highway 136, which was about 30 miles south of what was anticipated early this morning. This kept the risk of strong tornadoes just south of our local region, though we still had plenty of rain and instances of large hail and gusty winds roll through central Illinois.
The worst of the wind came with the storms in the morning. As the severe storms moved through the area they produced measured gust of 60-70 mph with localized gusts estimated to be around 80 mph. The winds resulted in tree, powerline, and structural damage from Knox through McLean County.
Storm Reports
Galesburg – Tree and power line damage
Williamsfield – Roof partially torn off building
Princeville – Tree damage
Dunlap – 60 mph wind gust
Bellevue – 60 mph wind gust
Germantown Hills – Trees down
Roanoke – 60 mph wind gust
El Paso – Power poles snapped
El Paso – Multiple semis and campers rolled on I-39
Gidley – 70 mph wind gust
Chenoa – Semi rolled on I-55
Dunlap – 1.0″ size hail
Metamora – 1.0″ size hail
Armington – 1.0″ size hail
Rain reports
West Peoria – 4.37″
Lexington – 4.00″
West Peoria – 3.98″
Washington – 3.97″
East Peoria – 3.47″
Dunlap – 3.40″
Goodfield – 2.47″
Towanda – 2.43″
Peoria (PIA) – 2.24″
Lewistown – 2.20″
Galesburg – 1.84″
Chillicothe – 1.52″
Pontiac – 1.27″
Historic tree dating back to Abraham Lincoln damaged in Springfield
It may be the last living tree standing when Abraham Lincoln and his family lived in the Springfield neighborhood from 1844 to 1861.
More than 30,000 Illinois residents reported power outages Wednesday morning amid severe storms and destructive winds.
The National Weather Service forecast two rounds of severe weather throughout the day, issuing a tornado watch early Wednesday morning across central Illinois.
Where were power outages reported in Illinois?
More than 35,000 of the more than 5.8 million customers tracked on PowerOutage.com reported outages Wednesday, as of noon.
The majority of these outages were concentrated in west-central Illinois in Warren, Henderson and Woodford counties.
More than 93% of the customers tracked in Henderson County and nearly 60% of those in Warren County were impacted by outages.
Less widespread outages were also reported in DeKalb, Mercer, Knox, Menard, Jefferson and Gallatin counties.
Electric service company Amaren was by far the most impacted utility provider, followed Commonwealth Edison Company and Corn Belt Energy Corporation.
Illinois power outage map
Report power outages in Illinois
Illinois residents can report power outages in their area at PowerOutage.com.
Illinois power outage tracker
To track where power outages have been reported and where they have been restored, follow the USA Today power outage tracker.
Chicago weather radar
Central Illinois weather radar
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