Illinois - still worth it? - update

So I just got my Illinois in the mail and figured I’d give everyone an update since I’ve seen a lot of people asking if this state is still worth grabbing. I compared it side-by-side with a friend’s real OTC Illinois, and honestly, I’m pretty impressed — but there are a few things worth pointing out.

First off, the microprint. On the real one, the line under “ILLINOIS” and the small text around the state seal are razor sharp, almost like it was printed with a laser. On mine, it’s really close — you kinda have to look with a loupe to spot any fuzziness. The tiny “ILLINOIS” repeating in the background? It’s there, but if you really pixel-peep you can see a slight softness in the edges. Still, to the naked eye or even a quick glance, it passes. Most bouncers aren’t breaking out a microscope.

UV light is where this thing shines — literally. Under a blacklight, the state outline and the “Land of Lincoln” text pop nicely. The color is a bright, clean blueish-white, not that dull yellow you see on budget fakes. Honestly, the brightness matches the real one pretty well. Maybe a hair brighter, but unless you’re comparing them side by side under UV in a dark room, you’d never notice it. No ghosting or weird splotches either.

The OVI is the biggest giveaway if you’re really looking. On the real ID, the “Illinois” text on the front shifts from a deep forest green to a coppery gold depending on the angle. On mine, the color shift is there, but it’s a little more abrupt — goes from green to a lighter gold, and the metallic flake isn’t quite as fine. Under direct light it looks good, but if you tilt it slowly you can tell the transition isn’t as smooth. Still, for casual use it’s fine. Most people don’t stare at the OVI that long.

Card material feel is probably the most surprising part. Honestly, it’s got that same slight flex and snap as a real Illinois. Not too flimsy, not too stiff. The edges are clean — no rough spots or peeling laminate. The thickness matches up exactly when I stacked them together. No weird texture difference either. I was worried it would feel like a generic PVC card, but it’s really close to the real polycarbonate feel.

Overall, I’d give this one a solid 8.5 out of 10. The microprint and OVI are the only weak points, and even those are only noticeable under close inspection. If you’re using it at a bar or a liquor store, you’re fine. If you’re taking it somewhere where they scan or really scrutinize, just be aware of those telltale signs. Definitely still worth it if you need an Illinois.

They updated it a few weeks ago to match the new design

This is exactly what I needed to know

IL is one of the better ones right now. I use mine daily