New REAL ID Supercenter now open in downtown Chicago at Clark and Lake street | Step-by-step guide to obtaining government document

CHICAGO (WLS) — A REAL ID Supercenter officially opened in Chicago on Wednesday.

There was a long line nearly down the entire block as people waited for doors to open at 7:30 a.m.

The supercenter is located at 191 N. Clark Street and will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Speaking about his experience, Juan Cascarano, an Illinois resident, expressed surprise at the efficiency of the process. He woke up early expecting long lines but found the service moving quickly, which impressed him.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the opening of the supercenter after seeing record applications for REAL ID.

“Clearly the demand is real and it’s showing no signs of letting up,” Giannoulias said.

The Secretary of State’s Office said they’re expecting to process about 2,500 applications at the supercenter location alone every day.

Giannoulias also announced some DMVs would expand Saturday hours to accommodate for REAL ID applicants.

For those looking to get their REAL ID on a Saturday, designated “REAL ID Saturday” facilities are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The locations include Chicago West, Addison, Aurora, Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Melrose Park, Plano, St. Charles, Waukegan, and Woodstock. These DMVs offer walk-in services without the need for an appointment.

Furthermore, six DMV locations that require appointments have extended their Saturday hours until 5 p.m. These locations are Chicago North, Deerfield, Lombard, Naperville, Schaumburg, and Springfield’s Wabash Avenue site.

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.