ESTABLISHED 1930 • INCORPORATED 1952

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White commended the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for extending the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023. DHS cited that it extended the deadline due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the impact the virus is having on the general public and driver’s license and ID card-issuing agencies nationwide. White, along with other state and business leaders from around the country, had called on DHS to extend the REAL ID deadline due to the pandemic. 

“I applaud the decision by DHS to extend the REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023 – 19 months past the old deadline of October 1, 2021,” said White. “This is the proper and necessary action in response to the pandemic.” 

With the extended federal deadline of REAL ID, current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will continue to be accepted at airports and secure federal facilities until May 3, 2023.