If you’ve been putting off getting your REAL ID and planned to use the big downtown Chicago location, you’re running out of time.
The Illinois Secretary of State’s REAL ID Supercenter at 191 N. Clark St. in the Loop will close at the end of the day on Monday, December 28, 2026.
Why It’s Closing
The supercenter opened in March 2025, about two months before the federal REAL ID deadline, to handle a huge rush of people. Since then, it’s processed more than 175,000 REAL IDs.
Now that demand has calmed down, the state says the facility has done its job. Its workers will be moved to other DMV offices around Illinois.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias called the supercenter “an example of what government can accomplish.”
Where to Go After December 28
You can still get a REAL ID at other Illinois DMV facilities across the state. You’ll need to apply in person.
What to Bring
To get a REAL ID in Illinois, you’ll need:
- Proof of identity, like a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or naturalization certificate. Non-citizens can use other documents, such as a permanent resident card.
- Proof of your full Social Security number.
- Two current documents showing where you live, with your full name.
- Proof of your signature.
If your name has changed, bring documents showing the change, such as a marriage certificate.
Why You Still Need One
A REAL ID, or a passport, is required to get through airport security for domestic flights and to enter most federal buildings.
And skipping it now costs money. Since February 1, 2026, travelers who show up at TSA without a REAL ID or other accepted ID like a passport have to pay a $45 fee to verify their identity.
With holiday travel just weeks away, now is a good time to check whether your license has the gold star in the corner. If it doesn’t, and you don’t have a passport, it’s worth getting your REAL ID before you fly.
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