URGENT UPDATE: Starting immediately, selected driver services offices in Southland, Illinois, including Melrose Park, Chicago Heights, and Bridgeview, are extending their hours to Saturdays to alleviate long wait times. This initiative, announced by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, aims to provide essential walk-in express services through September 6.
The extended Saturday hours will enable residents to apply for or renew driver’s licenses, state ID cards, or Real IDs, renew vehicle registrations, and apply for disability placards. With the looming Real ID requirement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Giannoulias emphasized the urgency of accessing these services.
Many travelers will need to present Real IDs before boarding flights, prompting a surge in demand. Giannoulias has previously urged residents to visit offices only if necessary, citing frustrations over long lines that have made it difficult for others to access different services. “To see these lines right outside our door is probably the most frustrating thing I’ve ever seen in public life,” he said in May.
The affected locations include:
– **Bridgeview:** 7358 W. 87th St.
– **Chicago Heights:** 570 West 209th St.
– **Melrose Park:** 5301 West Lexington St.
However, some offices, including those at **9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago**, and **14434 South Pulaski Ave., Midlothian**, will continue to operate on an appointment-only basis.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of these extended hours as a means to avoid the excessive wait times seen in recent months. With so many seeking their Real IDs, this move is crucial in ensuring all Illinoisans can access vital services without unnecessary delays.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
