Giannoulias reveals program to cut down DMW wait times
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Addressing the long wait times in DMV lines was a major push of then Illinois Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias in the lead up to last year's election. Now more than 200 days in office, he looks to make good on that promise.
Giannoulias announced the "Skip-the-Line" program on Thursday, which will require customers to set-up appointments for driver services whether that be renewing a license or taking a driver's test. Starting in September, the program will go into effect in 44 facilities in high traffic regions across the state.
"Whether you need to get a haircut, an appointment with a doctor or a dentist or get your car repaired, it's easier for consumers when they have the opportunity to reserve a specific time that accommodates their schedule," Giannoulias said during a Thursday press conference in Chicago. "That's the world that we live in. That's what this program is doing."
The change brings with it expanded Saturday morning hours for offices in 16 locations including Springfield, Peoria and Rockford. All driver services facilities will operate from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday with Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Giannoulias told reporters that no expense of the program will be passed onto the taxpayers. Any existing costs for implementation or extra office hours would be covered by the existing state budget, he said.
The secretary also encouraged Illinoisans to make use of online services when possible, including driver’s license renewal and ordering license plate stickers. The office also received more than $75 million in this year’s budget for its IT modernization efforts, which have already resulted in an overhaul of the office’s website, ilsos.gov.
“The revamped website is more intuitive and prioritizes our most popular programs and services so customers can find the information they want and need faster and more conveniently,” Giannoulias said in a July 12 news release.
It’s a continuation of several pandemic-driven shifts toward modernization for the secretary of state’s office. That process began under former secretary Jesse White, who held the office for more than two decades before Giannoulias took office in January.
These pandemic-era modernizations included piloting appointment-based service and offering expanded online services for drivers.
After Sept. 1, citizens are told to visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment.
Reporter Andrew Adams of Capitol News Illinois contributed to this article.
Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Giannoulias reveals program to cut down DMW wait times
