Due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the REAL ID enforcement deadline has been extended beyond October 1, 2020.
The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021.
According to acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf: “The federal, state and local response to the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline. Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID. Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes.”
More information from the Illinois Secretary of State on the new REAL ID deadline can be found here.