Illinoisans can now get documents notarized online
By ALEX ABBEDUTO
Capitol News Illinois
abbeduto@capitolnewsillinois.com
Illinoisans who need a notary public can now access those services online through a new “E-Notary” portal launched by the secretary of state’s office.
This process is one of the latest initiatives of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ ongoing effort to modernize the office and its services.
Notaries are state-appointed officials who administer oaths, certify documents and act as witnesses to document singings for things like affidavits and bills of sale. Until now, notary services could be performed remotely so long as the parties involved were in Illinois and the notary physically signed and sealed the notarized document.
Now, the process can occur fully online through one of 12 notarization service providers listed on the Illinois secretary of state’s website, ilsos.gov. All parties can now participate remotely and notaries are allowed to use electronic signatures and seals. Individuals using e-notary services must have a valid ID and access to a device supporting audio-video communication.
The office is also in the process of moving other functions online, including by creating an electronic lien and title system allowing drivers to manage vehicle titles online instead of through the mail. That system is slated for rollout this summer, according to a “modernization report” published by the secretary of state’s office last week.
Illinoisans can already file incorporation and court of claims documents, access business service and lobbyist databases, search for jobs and locate archived records through the office’s updated website.
Alexi Giannoulias announces updates to his “Skip-the-Line” program in July 2023. That program moved driver services to either an appointment-based system or online. (Capitol News Illinois phot by Andrew Adams)
The office rolled out “Skip-the-Line” and “Do-it-Online” initiatives last year in an effort to unclog DMV services by extending facility hours and online services and allowing Illinoisans to schedule appointments online.
Read more: State driver services facilities to require appointments in more than 40 locations | As online DMV services plagued by no-shows, secretary of state launches changes
More than 1.5 million appointments have been scheduled since the “Skip-the-Line” initiative was rolled out last fall, according to the office’s modernization report. The state has also opened four senior-only facilities in Bridgeview, Calumet Park, Evanston and Westchester.
The office is also going to start rolling out kiosks that would allow Illinoisans to renew their licenses, IDs and vehicle registrations at various community institutions, like libraries and grocery stores.
Giannoulias said they will start with 10 locations – including one on the second floor of the state Capitol – and “hopefully” expand to 150 within a year.
The report also indicates the office is cross-training over 2,000 DMV staff on all offered services to minimize the number of different people a customer might need to speak to during a visit.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
Illinois News
Classifieds
PHS Second Semester Honor Rolls
Spread the lovePeotone High School recently announced students named to its second semester honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students!! Superior Honor Roll Seniors: Payton Bean, Emma Bialko, Kaleigh Carroll, Abigail Chenoweth, Jack Connolley, Edgar Duran, Colin Emsweller, Katherine Erikson, Ethan Ferrier, Adeline Graffeo, Matthew Gromala, Peyton Hack, Landen Hamm, Molly Hennke, Alicia Hunding, Emma…
Fatal Accident on Peotone-Wilmington Road
Spread the loveOn June 8, at approximately 5:08 p.m., the Peotone Police Department responded to a vehicle accident on Peotone-Wilmington Road, just east of Division Street. Upon arrival, officers observed two vehicles – a minivan and a semi-tractor truck and trailer, both with severe front-end damage, positioned in the eastbound lanes of Peotone-Wilmington Road. Damian…
Crete Library News
Spread the loveThursday, June 20 Film Club, from 5:30 – 8 p.m., adults: Enjoy watching “Eraserhead” on the library’s big screen, with refreshments and a short discussion following the movie. Drop in. Knot Just for Knitters, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., adults: Join us to socialize while working on knitting, crocheting, or any other type…
BHS Fourth Quarter Honor Rolls
Spread the loveBeecher High School recently announced students named to its fourth quarter honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students! High Honors Seniors: Quinton Allen, Alexis Barkus, Katelyn Bol, Adriana Cabrera, Tyler Cochrane, Sergio Delgado, Riley DeRoos, Nathan Diachenko, Julieta Dominguez, Ariana Fernandez, Giada Garza, Olivia Geringer-Spagnola, Caitlin Gill, Jack Hayhurst, Andrew Hering, Mihya Hernandez,…
Rep. Haas Condemns Abuse at Shapiro Developmental Center
Spread the loveFollowing the indictments of four employees involved in the alleged battery of a patient at Shapiro Developmental Center in Kankakee, State Rep. Jackie Haas released the following statement. “I am absolutely appalled by the recent indictments of several employees at Shapiro and the continued reports of abuse of the developmentally disabled patients at…
ILHS/JHS Semester Honor Rolls Announced
Spread the loveIllinois Lutheran High School recently announced students named to its second semester honor rolls. Congratulations to the following students! High Honors: Tristan Biesterfeld, Morgan Hokanson, Denise Kennedy, Juanita Stuenkel, Kailey Van Es, Darrel Boren, Kimberly Danielewicz, Mikah Harris, Mia Jacobucci, Emma Nagle, Anna Oestmann, Sean Reposa, Azaylia Sanchez, Jaden Walls, Grace Chilo, Dawveed…
Beecher Community Library News
Spread the loveCall the library at 708-946-9090 for programs that require registration. Sign up for the summer reading program! Patrons of all ages can win prizes for reading during the summer! Outdoor Used Book Sale: A number of used books are for sale at $1 each, on our front veranda, including children’s, juniors, teens, and…
Monee Hasn’t Bought the Education Center, Yet
Spread the loveBy Karen Haave The Village of Monee has not purchased the vacant school building on Main Street. Not yet, anyway. The village has, in recent months, scooped up numerous properties needed for beautification or facilities expansion projects, but the Monee Education Center is not one of them. Local residents began asking about the…
Vandalism Didn’t Take the Pillow Out This Time in Manteno
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The jumping pillow on the Square on Second in Manteno opened five years ago, but is feeling its age. The attraction has proven to be popular, and people are missing it, as it is closed for repairs for an undetermined amount of time. Superintendent of Public Works Jim Hanley gave…
Lightways Hospice/Serious Illness Care Helps Community Understand Advance Care Planning
Spread the loveGrant project funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH). Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care will join a nationwide project and host a community game event at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital Wallin Conference Center, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 24, to engage communities in important conversations about medical decision making. The…
KPL Presents ‘Taste of Juneteenth Celebration’
Spread the loveThe Kankakee Public Library, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, will host a Juneteenth Celebration on June 18, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m, which will be held throughout the library. It is free and open to the public, as well as inclusive for all ages. Each floor will…
Another Eagle Scout Soars
Spread the loveBy Karen Haave An aspiring Monee Eagle Scout’s Community Service Project honors American military veterans, with an eye on protecting the environment. Unveiled during the Doss-Malone American Legion Post 1200’s annual Memorial Day program, Joshua Nelson’s project was to create two benches for the newly landscaped site. The benches are made from recycled…
Beecher Police Blotter: May 5 – 29
Spread the loveDisclaimer: Charges against each defendant are merely accusations, with all defendants presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. On May 5, Diego Garcia, 32, of Chicago, was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, possession of adult use cannabis in a…
This Week at the Farmers Markets
Spread the loveThis week at the Local Farmers Markets: Beecher – Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Peace Lutheran Church, 540 Oak Park Avenue; Peotone – Market in the Park, Tuesday, June 18, from 4-8 p.m., Peotone Park; Crete – Mondays, from 4-8 p.m., at Main and Exchange, held in conjunction with Classic Car…
Will County Hosts Regional First Responder Training, Exercise
Spread the loveThe Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) hosted a hands-on training for first responders, in Monee, aimed at bringing together police, fire, and dispatch agencies to coordinate effectively on various active threat incidents. “These trainings are critical to get all agencies on the same page and to be prepared for a wide variety…