On Tuesday morning, a long queue formed outside the Loop Super Center, stretching through the entire area across multiple city blocks. Hundreds of individuals hurriedly tried to obtain a REAL ID ahead of the Transportation Security Administration’s May 7 deadline.
As with Thursday, it started quite late in the day, stretching for at least three city blocks,” Marlon Madison stated. “Therefore, one must rise early and arrive promptly.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The TSA has alerted passengers that starting from Wednesday, they won’t be permitted to board flights with a non-REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license.
“I’m in the suburbs, and there are no appointments available, so I had to drive 50 minutes to come downtown today to come and get the REAL ID,” said Janiyah Branch.
When the doors unlocked at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the REAL ID Super Center, there was already a queue stretching all the way around the building.
“It’s quite an extensive, extensive, extensive process, but you know we’re going to accomplish it,” stated Izabella Vidallo.
Many brought chairs around 4:30 a.m. knowing the wait they had in store.
“I got up at like 3:30 today,” Vidallo said. “I was here just yesterday. I came at like 7:30, and it was not a very good idea.”
“I wasn’t able to secure an appointment, and since I frequently travel for both my job and church activities, I needed to quickly schedule one whenever possible. It was a matter of dealing with whatever wait time there was,” explained Michelle Morton.
“Ideally, we would have started sooner, but since we’re planning to go next month, we need to quickly get things sorted out,” stated Paul Lefebvre.
Leilah Sampson traveled for 2.5 hours from Bloomington-Normal after waiting three hours on Saturday, as she mentioned, just to find out that she lacked a necessary medical document which could affect her driving privileges.
“I feel awful, because I didn’t know,” Sampson said. “Nobody told me until I made it all the way inside, got to the camera, took my photo, and then someone said, ‘Oh, you need a medical report.'”
A lot of individuals mentioned their intention to embark on significant trips soon.
“I’ve reserved a flight, a hotel room, and a $2,000 cabana in Miami to see my mom for Mother’s Day, which will cost me around $3,000 total. However, I won’t have enough money unless I receive this identification document today before Friday,” Sampson explained.
“My birthday is coming up Friday, so I need to travel. I need my ID,” Vincent Perez said. “No passport yet.”
“I live in the area, and I don’t have a car. And I’m traveling in July, so,” said Olivia Pertchi.
Congress passed the 2005 REAL ID Act in response to the threat of terrorism.
States have been working to meet the security requirement for driver’s licenses and identification cards they issue.
“I stood line two blocks around and this is my fourth hour and I just got done and almost didn’t get it,” said Ernest F. Ledbetter III.
The deadline, however, will apparently not be entirely enforced. That means those people who have applied for a REAL ID but are still waiting for it to arrive in the mail may be able to keep their short-term travel plans.
“If it’s not compliant, then may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, but people will be allowed to fly,” said U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “We will make sure that it is as seamless as possible.”
Noem also cautioned individuals older than 18 without REAL IDs that they can still travel by air utilizing other federal identifications like a valid passport, military ID, green card, or Global Entry Card.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned residents on Tuesday that May 7 is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) deadline, but emphasized that most individuals who have been dealing with lengthy queues don’t actually need to be there.
“We’re urging everyone not to visit the Super Center. The misconception spreading around has become hazardous; many believe they can’t obtain a REAL ID after today or tomorrow, which isn’t true at all. These IDs will continue to be issued indefinitely. You only need to come here during the week if it’s an absolute necessity,” stated Giannoulias.
As the Super Center office was set to close at 5 p.m., Giannoulias, alongside the Secretary of State staff, began alerting people to cease forming lines after 4 p.m.
Giannoulias spent time going through the lengthy queues on Tuesday to address any issues.
Real IDs will continue to be issued for the coming months over the summer and likely indefinitely,” stated Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. He added, “Hence, approximately 90% of individuals waiting might not actually need to be there.
Regrettably for Myriam Larson, she reached the entrance of the Real ID Super Center only to find the doors closing shut.
“I waited in line for what seemed like an eternity, and just as I was about to reach the front, they told me I had to come back the next day,” Larson explained.
Noem also told members of Congress on Tuesday that 81% of people who fly already have their REAL IDs.
Giannoulias states that around 35% of Illinois residents possess a REAL ID.
READ ALSO |
How long does it take to get a REAL ID?
Here are the requirements to apply for a REAL ID in Illinois:
1.
A U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, Naturalization Certificate, Report of Birth Abroad or a Certificate of Citizenship.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, an employment authorization document, a permanent resident card or a foreign passport with an approved I-94 form is also acceptable. If you’ve changed your name, you’ll need to provide name change documents.
2.
Proof of a full Social Security number (SSN).
Examples include: a Social Security card, a W-2 or a pay stub with your full SSN.
3.
Two current residency documents that list your full name.
Examples include: a utility bill, rental agreement, deed/title or a bank statement.
4.
Proof of your signature.
Examples include: a signed credit or debit card, canceled check, or current state driver’s license or state ID.
Illinois has an interactive checklist to make sure applicants don’t forget anything. The checklist can be found
here
.
