O’Hare finally gets TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center

One of the nation’s busiest airports finally has a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center open.

The newly opened center at O’Hare International Airport is in the baggage claim area on the lower level of Terminal 1, which serves United Airlines, according to a statement from the Transportation Security Administration. Interested travelers should make a reservation online at universalenroll.dhs.gov, as only a limited number of walk-ins are available.

The PreCheck is an expedited program that allows travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt; keep their laptop in its case, and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids and gels in a carry-on at select screening lanes. There is an application fee of $85 for a five-year membership.

Once approved, travelers receive a Known Traveler Number and can use TSA PreCheck lanes at security checkpoints at more than 180 airports when traveling on 18 airlines, according to TSA.

In May, 450 American Airlines passengers missed their flights at O’Hare due to monster-length screening lines.

“TSA checkpoint wait times for passengers at Chicago’s airports have dramatically improved this summer and the TSA PreCheck program supports this positive trend,” Chicago Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans said in the statement.

O’Hare was the last of the nation’s 10 busiest airports to get a PreCheck Center, which are in operation in at least 40 other U.S. airports .

A PreCheck Center opened in May at Midway Airport in the baggage claim area near lower level door one.

Other TSA PreCheck enrollment sites in the area include 11 E. Adams St. in Chicago; 2958 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago; 3000 Dundee Rd. in Northbrook; 822 S. Jefferson St. in Joliet; and 9801 W. Higgins Rd. in Rosemont.