South Central Reporter

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Decatur) reminded constituents last month in a press release that the deadline for state identification renewal has been extended for the final time.

Following obstacles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois driver’s licenses, instruction permits, and identification cards that were to expire between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 31,  2022, have been granted one final extension for renewal by March 31, 2022. However, commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits are excluded from this extension, according to a press release from the Illinois Secretary of State.

“With the predicted surge in COVID-19 cases around the state, it’s important to take as many steps to slow the spread of the disease as much as we can,” Turner said, according to her press release. “Many services have been made available online, so I encourage you to take full advantage of the new extension and the secretary of state’s website.”

Renewing a license can be done at any Secretary of State Driver's License facility, although a series of conditions must be met to do so including applying for a REAL ID driver's license or Real ID ID card, paying a reinstatement fee, a license/ID card has been expired more than one year, and many others. A full list of conditions is available in the Secretary of State's press release. 

 "During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner," said Secretary of State Jesse White in a statement, according to NBC Chicago. "This extension  is necessary as my office  continues to address the heavy customer volume caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through expanded online services  and the introduction of  appointments at select Driver Services  facilities."

The full list of required material for renewal is available through the Office of the Secretary of State.