Illinois residents who need to renew their driver’s license or state ID have a new option for avoiding a trip to a Secretary of State driver services center.
The Secretary of State’s office on Thursday launched a pilot program that will place DMV kiosks in 15 grocery stores in the state, the majority in Chicago and its suburbs.
These “Fast-Lane” kiosks will allow Illinoisans to renew driver’s licenses, state IDs and vehicle registrations and buy vehicle stickers. Officials said using the machine’s services should take no more than two minutes. Grocers participating in the pilot program are Mariano’s, Kroger, Jewel-Osco and Meijer.
Using a kiosk will cost $4.95 per transaction, and a credit card processing fee if applicable.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the kiosk fee is less expensive than what most currency exchanges or emission testing sites charge for the same services.
“Since taking office, we have been laser-focused on eliminating the ‘time tax,’ or the amount of time it takes Illinoisans to obtain essential government services,” Giannoulias said at a news conference Thursday at Mariano’s, 40 S. Halsted St., in the West Loop. “We have been relentlessly driven to improve the overall customer experience by offering Illinoisans more options.”
Amanda Puck, vice president for communications and brand development at Roundy’s, which operates Mariano’s, said the kiosk will “change our customer’s lives and experience in the stores.”
Giannoulias told reporters that the program has been in development since he entered the office in early 2023. The kiosk was developed by Intellectual Technology Inc., which operates similar kiosks in 17 other states.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias demonstrates how a DMV kiosk works at the pilot program’s unveiling Thursday at Mariano’s, 40 S. Halsted St., in the West Loop.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
He said the pilot program is not funded by the state and puts no burden on taxpayers. He said it could provide savings if it reduces the workload at the state’s DMV offices.
“Although we’re offering more online services … people continue to come to the DMV,” Giannoulias said.
The kiosk program is aimed at people who don’t have internet access or aren’t comfortable with digital services and gives them an alternative to going to a DMV office.
In addition to online options, DMV hours have expanded and at some of its busiest locations appointments are required to reduce waits.
In April, Giannoulias opened a drivers and motor vehicles facility in Chinatown that offers driver and vehicle services from the same counter. He wants to expand the “one-stop shop” model statewide eliminate confusion and speed up lines.
Giannoulias said the kiosk program could expand to over 150 kiosks statewide. The expansion plan could include more services, like potentially license replacements and vehicle titles, and more language options. The current pilot program is only available in English and Spanish.
For more information about the program or to find the kiosk closest to you, go to www.ilsos.gov/kiosks.