Illinois Secretary of State Giannoulias expanding Saturday hours at DMVs as REAL ID deadline nears

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Illinois Secretary of State's Office is announcing new Saturday hours to help keep up with demand for REAL IDs.

It's is also launching a new online portal to help people determine if they need one.

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Real IDs are mainly needed for people who are flying within the U.S.

Enforcement begins May 7 nationwide.

RELATED: Do you need a REAL ID in Illinois? DMVs adding more appointments as deadline nears

You don't need one if you have a valid passport.

The office has also announced new Saturday hours at 12 DMV facilities exclusively for REAL ID services and expanded Saturday hours at six DMVs beginning March 1 through May 10.

The 'REAL ID Saturday' facilities that will accommodate exclusively REAL ID requests will be open on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. include Chicago West (7301 W. Lexington Ave.) and the following suburban facilities: Addison, Aurora, Des Plaines, Elgin, Joliet, Lake Zurich, Melrose Park, Plano, St. Charles, Waukegan and Woodstock.

In addition, six DMV appointment-only locations currently open on Saturdays will expand their operations for an additional five hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Chicago North (5401 N. Elston Ave.), Deerfield, Lombard, Naperville, Schaumburg and Springfield (Wabash Avenue).

Nine appointment-only facilities currently open on Saturdays will keep their 7:30 a.m. to noon hours: Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago South (9901 S. Martin Luther King Dr.), Granite City, Marion, Midlothian, Peoria, Rockford (Central) and Silvis. Appointments at these facilities must be made in advance.

For more information on REAL IDs, visit the Illinois Secretary of State's Office.