Illinois Secretary of State Reinstates Required Mask Policy

CHICAGO — Citing an increase in positive coronavirus cases, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced Wednesday that, starting next week, employees and customers at driver services facilities and Secretary of State offices will be required to wear masks.

The order, which also includes the Illinois State Capitol building, will go into effect Monday, White said in a news release. The announcement comes a day after the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention issued new recommendations that everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, should wear masks indoors in areas that have seen a spike in positive COVID-19 cases.

White said that the mask requirement will allow the offices to remain open and reduce the heavy caseload that was created last year when the coronavirus pandemic was just beginning. However, the announcement also comes at a time when White has extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs. Expired documents will remain valid until Jan. 1, 2022, so there is no rush for residents to renew their licenses, White said.

White also encouraged residents to use Secretary of State online services rather than visiting a facility, which have experienced high customer volumes since reopening. The menu of online services available to residents has been expanded, which allows for residents to take care of many of their needs without leaving home.

Many transactions can be conducted online, including the purchase of license plate stickers, obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, and renewing driver’s licenses and ID cards, including REAL IDs, for those who are eligible, the news release said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.