My son and I visited the local post office on June 4 to apply for our passports. I was told that I didn't need to expedite our applications because we we're 7 1/2 weeks away from our travel date. I did pay the $14.85 fee for next day return shipping. I then waited. The applications were entered into the national passport centers system on June 8. On July 10 I called their toll free number to check on them, they said everything was fine and that nothing was flagged. On July 15 my son received his passport. On July 17 I called their toll free number again to check on my passport, again they said everything was fine and that nothing was flagged. On July 20, which was the 6 week mark of being in their system, I called their toll free number again to check on my passport, again they said everything was fine and that nothing was flagged. At 7:32 am on July 21 I received an email saying that the photo I submitted was "received damaged" and that I needed to send a new photo. I called the toll free number again to find out if I was going to be able to get my passport in time to leave on a trip on 7/28. They told me to overnight a new photo and because this was now a rush I need to send proof of travel and send $60 to expedite my passport. It is still not guaranteed that I will get it in time. I asked about going to the Chicago passport center to walk a passport through the system. The soonest appointment they have available is 7/31 and being a federal building, I have to have an appointment confirmation number to get through security.

Any ideas or help?

Call / stop by your local US embassy and ask for help? You never know.

I am surprised that with a confirmed itinerary, that you cannot obtain a next day appointment. I would simply call back and skip the whole rest of the story and say that you are departing on 7/28 and need a passport. Then move to the fact that it's in process.

What do you mean US Embassy? OP is located here in the US !

1) Call again for an appointment , speak with a representative, not via automated system

2) According to another web site Chicago has walk ins if within 48 hrs of travel

3) Contact your congressman/state rep.
Just saw this as an example, maybe worth a try if all fails.

http://quigley.house.gov/services/passports

Thank you for the suggestions. I called the suggested congressman. They informed me that I will need to call my local congressman. The local office was closed so I will try again tomorrow.