Secretary of State

Haha I can’t believe I’m leaving a review for a government office. I know most people have a miserable time but I came here twice and the good folks here were super helpful in resolving my issue. Lady at the front desk was courteous (at least to me) and the guy that helped me out — though I’m sure he’s not the biggest fan of his job — was super nice and helpful. The issue I had wasn’t even an issue they normally resolve but they were being nice! So I will give them a nice review. :)

Don’t get old lady Linda… rudest place I’ve ever been to. After 2 days of run around an hour ride on the train, and I get greeted with «I don’t need to know about your problem, just give me your id and paperwork». Makes Schaumburg DMV look like freakin Disneyland.

10^th floor, turn left. Not the right place if you are looking to get a new or renewed ID

Actually a very pleasant experience! I moved from Michigan two years ago, and FINALLY decided to get an Illinois drivers license and become a resident. I put it off long enough, and dreaded going to the SOS. but to my surprise:
The greeter at SOS was very helpful, smiley and nice to everyone he helped in line before me. The assistants and cashier were both very nice a friendly. I was in and out in just over a half an hour, got my license that same day.
I know people complain a lot about the SOS being rude (and I agree they mostly are), but I went on a Monday and people were pleasant. Don’t mind having to go back!

This review is not about the front desk people (who I admit aren’t great) but about the lovely lady who helped me. I only waited 2 minutes before my number was called (Yay!) and then I arrived to the desk. I didn’t get the ladies name but she was an older Polish lady who was incredibly sweet (I know she was Polish because there were notes to her in Polish at her desk). My husband’s license was scheduled to be suspended on Sunday so I really needed to get this resolved today. She took a look at the papers I brought in and she filled out some paperwork and sent me to the cashier

I’m all about government and protecting government jobs, pensions, rights etc. but I’d like to point out to the people that work here that not everybody’s job is safe.
Case is point-​the lady at the front desk named Wanda. Not Lafawnda, not Lawanda, or Shquanda. Just Wanda. She’s old enough that her mother didn’t want to make her name special and beautiful like a lot of other mothers nowadays do. Don’t pretend you haven’t met a girl/​guy named Kendall, Taylor, Hylighter Express, etc…
I have no beef with the state of Il persay but just the people they hire. I don’t mind that I have to sit upstairs in a quiet, sterile, cerulean blue room because the whole idea of painting a room blue is to calm people. I was calm about getting the runaround for 2 days but what I can’t shut up about it the front desk clerk yakking on her cell phone. For 45 minutes. While there’s a HUGE sign explaining the rules about being quite, not using your cellphone, and no food.
This woman was on her cellphone talking about her mother’s bunions or something to that effect, eating chips, and letting everybody in the room know her business. While she’s glaring at other people for being on their phone, she’s telling the person on the other line the people in the room have no respect, no manners and can’t read a damn sign.
Oh, my beloved state of Illinois, when did affirmative action happen here?