Chicago Temporarily Extends Driver’s License Expiration Dates
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Chicago has announced that it will be extending the expiration dates for driver’s licenses. This move comes as many residents have been struggling to renew their licenses due to the closure of Secretary of State facilities and other obstacles brought on by the virus.
The Chicago Department of Transportation released a statement saying, “In light of the public health crisis and the challenges facing residents in renewing their driver’s licenses, we have decided to extend the expiration dates for all licenses in the city of Chicago.” This extension will apply to both regular driver’s licenses and commercial driver’s licenses.
The extension will be in effect for a period of six months, starting from the original expiration date of the license. This means that if a driver’s license was set to expire on March 31, 2020, it will now be valid until September 30, 2020.
This decision comes as a relief to many residents who have been struggling to renew their licenses during the pandemic. With Secretary of State facilities closed and many residents unable to leave their homes, renewing a driver’s license has become a daunting task for many.
“I am so grateful for this extension,” said Chicago resident Sarah Johnson. “I have been stressing out about renewing my license, but now I have some extra time to get it done without having to worry about breaking the law.”
While the extension will provide some relief to residents, the city is encouraging those who are able to renew their licenses to do so as soon as possible. “We understand that many residents are facing challenges during this time, but we urge those who are able to renew their licenses to do so in a timely manner,” said the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Residents who do need to renew their licenses will still be able to do so online, through the Secretary of State’s website. The website has been updated to accommodate the high volume of renewals and provide a smooth process for residents.
In addition to the extension of expiration dates, the city of Chicago has also announced that it will be waiving late fees for driver’s license renewals during this time. This means that residents who are unable to renew their licenses before the expiration date will not be penalized with late fees.
The decision to extend expiration dates and waive late fees comes as part of the city’s efforts to ease the burden on residents during the pandemic. With many residents facing financial hardships and other challenges, the city is working to provide support and relief where possible.
“I am proud of the city of Chicago for taking action to help residents during this difficult time,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “We will continue to do everything we can to support our residents and ensure that they have the resources they need to navigate this crisis.”
Overall, the extension of expiration dates and waiver of late fees for driver’s license renewals will provide much-needed relief to residents in Chicago. As the city continues to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic, these measures will help to ease the burden on residents and ensure that they are able to renew their licenses in a timely manner.
