SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has a New Year's resolution for Illinois drivers - don't go to the DMV. The Democrat said customers can easily renew their driver's license, state ID or license plate stickers online.

"It's quick," Giannoulias told reporters Thursday. "It's convenient. It's secure."

2.2 million Illinoisans need to renew their driver's license this year. Yet, the Secretary of State's office said nearly half of those drivers can conduct that business by mail, online or over the phone. 

There were over 1 million drivers with clean driving records last year who had the option to renew their license without going to a DMV.

"More than 560,000 individuals, more than half, visited a facility when they did not need to," Giannoulias noted. "In addition, nearly 3 million people made a special trip to the DMV just to get a new license plate sticker."

Every driver in the state will need to renew their license plate sticker at some point this year, but you don't need to leave your home at all. However, customers will receive text messages if they schedule appointments moving forward.

"What we've seen is people schedule an appointment, they just grab whatever they can and they never show up," Giannoulias said. "That puts us in a bind. This texting system is an enormously important step to help make sure people are confirming their appointments."

Illinois DMV changes

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said customers can easily renew their driver's license, state ID or license plate stickers online.

There is also a brand new appointment portal on the Secretary of State's website to help people select the exact service they need. Giannoulias noted that seniors who need help making appointments or have questions about requirements can call 800-252-8980 and press 2.

"I cannot tell you the amount of people who go to a facility, take time off work, leave their home when it's snowing out to trudge through a facility, wait in line, and then they realize they never even had to go," Giannoulias added. 

The Secretary of State also explained that many driving schools were picking every appointment most mornings and locking up the online scheduling system. Giannoulias noted that his office is working with the driving schools to ensure that issue is resolved.

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