Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is advising residents to avoid confusion about the federal government’s upcoming deadline to comply with the REAL ID mandate. After May 7 of this year, federal law will require domestic travelers on commercial flights to have REAL ID-compliant identification.

On May 7, state-issued driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification for domestic flights or at certain federal facilities.

The Secretary of State's Office has added thousands of appointments to get the IDs, with only 30% of Illinoisans having obtained them. Those without passports will need them to board U.S. flights by May 7.