Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ Champaign DMV facility has been transformed into a “DMV+,” now incorporating services previously available only in Chicago or Springfield. The new “One-Stop-Shop” model includes business and administrative services as well as those of a typical DMV.
A Monday press conference signalled the official opening of the facility, with speakers including Giannoulias and Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen.
“Today’s event marks the launch of our first DMV+ outside of the Chicagoland area,” Giannoulias said at the press conference. “This remarkable, state-of-the-art and very clean facility will improve the DMV experience for Champaign-Urbana area residents and offer more services to more Central Illinois customers.”
New services offered at the DMV+ include filing trademarks with the Secretary of State’s office, obtaining certified copies of business records and conducting informal hearings for lesser driving offenses, among other things. These services are added to the standard abilities of the DMV: issuing or renewing IDs or driver’s licenses, registering vehicles, ordering license plates or joining the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry.
Mayor Feinen emphasized the convenience of the services now available in C-U through the updated facility.
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“As an attorney who has tried to access the services that are only available in Springfield and Chicago, I’ve been one of the ones who has dealt with the ‘time tax’ of having to drive back and forth to take care of business operations for my clients,” Feinen said. “To know that we can access those services here in Champaign is really a game-changer for everyone.”
The Champaign DMV, located at 2012 Round Barn Road, first opened in 2015. Renovations to the building began in mid-June, although the facility remained open for the duration.
“Last month, we began working on some much-needed renovations,” Giannoulias said. “But, in addition to the spruced-up look and new counters, the real difference maker is that every employee at each of the 23 service stations is now cross-trained as part of our ‘One-Stop-Shop’ program.”
The new “One-Stop-Shop” model allows customers to receive driver and vehicle services at the same counter, during a single appointment. All employees are trained to provide all services, creating lower wait times in a facility known for long lines and delays.
In an effort to further reduce the “time tax” of a regular DMV visit, the DMV+ is available through appointment only. Appointments can be made from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
