Illinois drivers licenses are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act. (Photo courtesy CyberDriveIllinois.com)

By Eric Stock 

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois is developing a new identification card that state officials hope will meet federal guidelines to get on an airplane next year. 

Illinois is one of 21 states that were granted an extension to comply with the 2005 REAL ID Act. 

Secretary of State Deputy Press Secretary Henry Haupt told WJBC's Scott Laughlin, the state won't be compliant until Homeland Security receives a letter from the state Attorney General attesting the state has passed a law that allows the state to implement REAL ID. 

"That's one of the components that Illinois is missing," Haupt said. 

Haupt said the legislative would have to approve any new identification but he said that any new card would cost millions to develop. 

The REAL ID Act requires a birth certificate to get a drivers license. Without the card, passengers could face additional security measures. 

Haupt said that would create a challenge as a majority of states are not yet in compliance. 

"Maybe that heralds the fact there are some serious consideration as to how much they want to impact flyers from noncompliant states," Haupt said.  "I'm sure they are smart people. They realize what it could do to lines. I'm sure they are taking that into consideration."

Seven states are not compliant, while Illinois is one of 21 states that have been granted an extension.  

Illinois lawmakers passed a resolution in 2007 saying the Real ID Act 'would provide little security benefit.' 

Illinois has until October to get into compliance. 

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].