Starting next week, residents of Illinois may have trouble gaining access to the Rock Island Arsenal. Thursday the Department of Defense announced that starting Monday (1/18), an Illinois driver's license will not be accepted as primary identification to enter the installation.
Garrison spokesman, Eric Kramer, says that's because the Illinois driver's license does not comply with the federal Real I-D law passed in 2005. Alternatives that can be used as primary identification include US passports, US military records, and driver's licenses issued by federal or local government agencies that comply with the law.
He doesn't foresee a huge impact from the new requirement.
Kramer says once you've gone through a background check, and have identification issued by the Arsenal, then an Illinois drivers license can be used with it to enter the Arsenal.
Iowa has complied with the Real I-D law, so its drivers licenses can be used to get a pass to enter the Arsenal.
Along with Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington currently do not comply with the Real I-D law.
