New DMV opens in Chicago suburb with more services, expanded hours

A new DMV opened in a Chicago suburb Monday, offering extended hours and “expanded services,” according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.

The new, appointment-only location opened at 18230 Orland Parkway in Orland Park on Monday and “offers everything from driver’s services like driver license renewals and REAL IDs to vehicle services like vehicle registration and renewal stickers.” It will also have behind-the-wheel driving exams, marking a first for the suburb.

The new hours for the facility will run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The opening comes roughly two months after township trustees voted to abruptly terminate the lease for the only DMV office in the area.

“Orland Park is a busy full-service DMV that gives residents and those in neighboring communities the ability to easily cross tasks, like driver’s license or vehicle registration renewals, off the list,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a statement. “That’s why we made it a top priority to not only ensure that residents didn’t experience any disruption in services but also expanded the hours and added additional services at no cost to state or local taxpayers.”

Giannoulias’ office said it signed a one-year, zero-cost lease with the non-profit Communities Transform Futures (CTF) to open the temporary location.

After the controversial vote to close of the previous DMV office in Orland Park was met with strong criticism in June, the village said it contacted the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to share community concerns and “to advocate for the swift remedy to the possible ceasing of services in the community.”

“We know how important it is for our residents to have essential services close to home,” said Mayor Jim Dodge. “When it became clear the Orland Township site would be closing, we worked quickly with our partners to make sure the Drivers Facility stayed right here in our Village. I want to thank Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, CTF Illinois, Supervisor Paul O’Grady, and Senator Michael Hastings for their teamwork in ensuring residents continue to have reliable, local access to these vital services.”

The previous DMV office was given until Oct. 31 to vacate the space after the township trustees voted to end the lease, so Monday’s opening of the new location will ensure residents in the area have access to a local facility at least until the end of the temporary location’s lease next year.

The Secretary of State’s office is continuing to seek a permanent location nearby before the expiration of the lease, according to the announcement.

“The new temporary and eventual permanent facilities will provide a full range of services, including driver’s license renewals, driving tests, and vehicle registration,” the village said.

from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/6DVnteJ