What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Illinois Real ID By Deadline?

Residents of Illinois are now only one month away from the deadline to get their Real ID. What happens if you don't get it done by the May 7, 2025 deadline? There are consequences, but it's not the end of the world either.

There's no need to search for the Illinois Real ID answers anywhere other than the Illinois Secretary of State's website. Let's get one issue out of the way from the beginning. It is NOT mandatory that you get an Illinois Real ID. That being said, if you don't get an Illinois Real ID by May 7, you will need other identification to fly domestically, but there are ways around it. The state of Illinois says as an alternative to the Real ID, you will need "a valid U.S. passport or passport card, military ID or other federally approved identification".

What can't I do if I choose to not get an Illinois Real ID or can't get one before the deadline?

You may not be able to access some United States military bases or other federal facilities. They may accept other types of identification, though.

What can I still do if I choose to not get an Illinois Real ID?

The Illinois Real ID frequently asked questions page says you can still vote, drive your vehicle, get federal benefits and open a bank account.

There seems to be a lot of misconceptions about what the Illinois Real ID requirements really are and what restrictions will result if you don't get one by the May 7, 2025 deadline. The best source to refer to for any of these questions is to check out the Illinois Real ID site.