New Fees For IL Travelers Without REAL ID Start Feb. 1

Illinois domestic air travelers 18 and older who haven’t gotten their REAL IDs or other other acceptable identification will begin paying a $45 “ConfirmID” fee on Feb. 1.

The Transportation Security Administration says the fee is designed to recover administrative costs associated with additional screening, including database checks, knowledge-based questions or biometrics.

The additional screening can take 10 to 30 minutes, according to the TSA. Fees can be prepaid at pay.gov to speed up the process. There’s no guarantee it will be able to confirm the identification of all travelers, though.

The ConfirmID is good for 10 days from the date of travel. Using the ConfirmID is optional, but the TSA warns that non-REAL ID-compliant travelers who don’t use it may not be allowed through security and may miss their flights.

REAL ID cards, which have been required since May, are still encouraged. These state-issued license or identification cards were mandated following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The deadline to acquire one was originally scheduled for 2008, but the deadline was repeatedly postponed.

To get a REAL ID in Illinois, residents can visit the walk-in Supercenter in Chicago, open Monday through Friday until the end of 2026. Illinoisans can also apply for a REAL ID at full-service DMVs throughout the state.

The DMV requires applicants to bring the following documents with them to get a REAL ID:

• Proof of Identity - One document that shows your date of birth and legal name
• Proof of Social Security Number - One document that displays your full SSN or a valid Illinois driver's license or ID
• Proof of Residency - Two documents that prove you live in Illinois. Must show your first and last name and match the address on your application.
• Proof of Written Signature - One document that proves your written signature

Examples of acceptable documents can be found on the Illinois Secretary of State website.

The Department of Homeland Security says about 94 percent of the air-traveling population is REAL ID compliant, meaning they’ve either gotten the updated driver’s licenses or have some acceptable form of identification, such as a valid U.S. passport, military identification or permanent resident card. TSA also accepts digital IDs through platforms such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports in the U.S.