Additions made to ‘Skip-the-Line' program at Illinois DMV's
With more than 150,000 appointments booked in a three-week span, Illinois officials say they are expanding the state’s “Skip-the-Line” program at select Secretary of State’s Office locations.
“The Skip-the-Line program has been functioning at a high level in the few weeks since its official launch,” Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said. “But we can still make improvements with targeted adjustments, and I am focused on implementing these to benefit all of our customers, especially our seniors.”
The program, which began Sept. 1, required appointments for many tasks completed at DMV facilities in Illinois, a change spearheaded by efforts to improve wait times.
The change applies to 44 of the state’s busiest DMVs for those seeking certain services, such as taking an in-car driving test or obtaining a REAL ID.
New additions to that program were announced this week by Giannoulias’ office, including the opening of two “senior only” centers in the Chicago metro area.
Those sites will be used to provide additional driver’s license services to senior citizens, a move designed to clear additional appointment times for motorists around the city.
The Evanston Civic Center, located at 2100 Ridge Road in Evanston, and Seat Geek Stadium, located at 7000 South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, will offer services for senior citizens, according to a press release.
Appointments will not be required at those facilities for residents age 65 and older, according to the release.
Available appointments will also increase at other facilities that offer such services. According to officials with the Secretary of State’s Office, more than 1,300 additional appointments will be available for in-car and road-tests due to the success of the program thus far.
Finally, call center features will be available for residents age 70 and older who need a road exam. Those residents can call 800-252-8980.
Only one Chicago-area facility, the location at State and Randolph in the Loop, has allowed walk-in services since the program was implemented.
While motorists are able to complete certain tasks in-person if you make an appointment, many actually can be performed without going anywhere at all.
Drivers are urged to take advantage of the Secretary of State’s office’s online services, which include renewing a driver’s license or ID card and license plate sticker without leaving home. It’s important to note, though, that if motorists are trying to obtain a REAL ID, they won’t be able to complete the process online and will have to schedule an appointment.
To schedule an appointment, residents may visit ilsos.gov or call 844-817-4649.
The Skip-the-Line program also extends hours of operation at all DMVs. Facilities will be open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A total of 16 DMVs will also serve drivers from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
The following DMVs are appointment-only, with their days of operation visible in the right-hand column:
Facility Address Days of Operation
Chicago:
Chicago North 5401 N. Elston Ave. Mon-Sat
Chicago South 9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Mon-Sat
Chicago West 5301 W. Lexington St. Mon-Fri
Diversey Express 4642 W. Diversey Ave. Mon-Fri
Suburbs:
Aurora 339 E. Indian Trail Mon-Fri
Bridgeview 7358 W. 87th St. Mon-Fri
Chicago Heights 570 W. 209th St. Mon-Fri
Deerfield 405 Lake Cook Road Mon-Sat
Des Plaines 1470 Lee St. Mon-Fri
Elgin 595 S. State Mon-Fri
Joliet 201 S. Joyce Road Mon-Fri
Lake Zurich 951 S. Rand Road Mon-Fri
Lockport 1029 – 31 East 9th St. Mon-Fri
Lombard 837 S. Westmore B27 Mon-Sat
Melrose Park 1903 N. Mannheim Road Mon-Fri
Midlothian 14434 S. Pulaski Mon-Sat
Naperville 931 W. 75th St., Ste. 161 Mon-Sat
Orland Township 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Mon-Fri (4:30p close)
Plano 236 Mitchell Drive Mon-Fri
Schaumburg 1227 E. Golf Road Mon-Sat
St. Charles 3851 E. Main St. Mon-Fri
Waukegan 617 S. Green Bay Road Mon-Fri
*West Chicago (CDL only) 721 Kress Road Mon-Sat
Woodstock 428 S. Eastwood Drive Mon-Fri
Central/Downstate:
Belleville 400 W. Main St. Mon-Fri
Belvidere 425 W. Southtowne Drive Mon-Fri
Bethalto 20 Terminal Drive, Ste. 103, East Alton Mon-Fri
Bloomington 1510 W. Market St. Mon-Sat
*Bradley 111 Village Square Shopping Plaza Mon-Fri
Champaign 2012 Round Barn Road Mon-Sat
Decatur 3149 N. Woodford St. Mon-Fri
DeKalb 1360 Oakwood St. Mon-Fri
Edwardsville 1502A Troy Road Mon-Fri
Galesburg 1066 E. Losey St. Mon-Fri
Granite City 1810 Edison Ave. Mon-Sat
*Marion 1905 Rendleman St. Mon-Sat
*Moline/Silvis 2001 Fifth St., Ste. 10 Mon-Sat
Morris 425 E. Route 6 Mon-Fri
Pekin 200 S. Second St. Mon-Fri
*Peoria 3311 N. Sterling Ave. Mon-Sat
*Quincy 2512 Locust St. Mon-Fri
Rockford Central 3720 E. State St. Mon-Sat
*Springfield Wabash 1650 Wabash Ave. Mon-Sat
Tilton #5 Southgate Drive Mon-Fri