Gov. Pritzker Signs Bipartisan Clean Slate Act

Illinois becomes 13th state to create automatic records relief process for individuals with non-violent criminal convictions

Gov. Pritzker Signs Bipartisan Clean Slate Act

Illinois becomes 13th state to create automatic records relief process for individuals with non-violent criminal convictions

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker signed the bipartisan Clean Slate Act (HB 1836), a law that will automate the state's record-sealing system process for individuals with certain non-violent convictions following a waiting period. Individuals with violent and serious convictions including murder, domestic battery, DUI, sex crimes, and other serious crimes are not eligible for record sealing under the Clean Slate Act. The bill also does not apply to any crimes that aren’t already eligible for sealing.

“We are thrilled that Governor JB Pritzker has made Illinois the 13th Clean Slate state by officially signing HB 1836 into law. This victory has been years in the making, and Illinois wouldn’t be positioned to reclaim $4.7 billion in lost wages annually without the tireless work of advocates, lawmakers, directly impacted individuals, families, and community organizations across the Clean Slate coalition,” said Sheena Meade, Chief Director of the Clean Slate Initiative. “With HB 1836 now law, the priority is preparing for its rollout so that 1.74 million eligible Illinoisans are no longer blocked from jobs, housing, or education by outdated bureaucracy. Our coalition partners — including Live Free Illinois, the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, the Workers Center for Racial Justice, Impact for Equity, and Code for America — and bill sponsors Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Sen. Elgie Sims have shown the resolve, persistence, and heart needed to drive real change. We are committed to ensuring a brighter future for Illinois that provides opportunity for people who have earned their second chance.”

The current record-sealing process varies for all 102 counties in Illinois and is often tedious and complex — relying on the individual to file a petition, obtain legal representation, and make court appearances, all resulting in significant costs. These challenges can deter eligible individuals under current sealing laws from pursuing this process entirely, hindering economic opportunities once an individual has served their time.

Illinois’ automated record-sealing process will become one of the most comprehensive programs in the country — ultimately providing roughly two million eligible Illinoisans with increased access to meaningful employment, housing, and educational opportunities and ensuring that unnecessary and extra-judicial punishment do not continue long after they have completed their court-imposed sentence.

Eligible Individuals:

After completion of a sentence and a two-year (misdemeanor) or three year (felony) waiting period, eligible individuals’ records will be automatically sealed for qualifying misdemeanor and felony convictions.

The records of individuals with dismissed or reversed charges, as well as the records of the underlying arrests, will also be automatically sealed at the conclusion of any case or court process.

Individuals Not Eligible:

The bill does not expand the types of crimes beyond those that are eligible for record sealing under the current law.

Individuals who commit violent and/or serious crimes are NOT eligible to have their records sealed. This includes the convictions listed below.

Ineligible convictions include the following: murder, sex offenses, Class X and other violent crimes, DUI, reckless driving, stalking, domestic battery, orders-of-protection violations, Humane Care for Animals Act violations, and more.

Access to Records:

Private companies will no longer have access to sealed records.

Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts will retain complete access.

Employers and licensing agencies regulated by state or federal law — such as schools, park districts, financial institutions, and public transportation agencies — can access sealed conviction records through ISP fingerprint-based background checks.

Any entity already authorized by law to access sealed convictions, including state agencies regulating high-sensitive fields, will also retain access.

Transitioning to an Automated System:

The Clean Slate Act includes an implementation timeline to give agencies the necessary time to prepare and transition to the new system.

The Act establishes the Clean Slate Task Force, a five-year oversight body composed of key stakeholders, legislators, advocates, and members of the public. The Task Force will guide implementation by reviewing best practices and case studies from other states, and it will help develop effective communication channels and procedures for accurate record matching.

The Clean Slate Task Force will meet quarterly and report annually to the Illinois General Assembly.

Under the Clean Slate process, ISP will identify records eligible for automatic sealing and notify the circuit clerk in all 102 counties through the statewide e-filing system. Circuit clerks will then seal the records and send notice to arresting agencies.

Economic and Employment Impact:

Under the new law, Illinoisans stand to reclaim $4.7 billion in lost wages annually, according to expert estimates.

Research from other states shows that close to half of respondents with sealed records reported improvements in work, public assistance, and personal finances.

Once a criminal record is sealed, people see a 22% wage increase on average — just within the first year, research shows.

“I am deeply proud to have led five years of negotiations that led to this legislation, which is going to change the trajectory of the lives of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans and positively start the next chapter in their life,” said Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria). “Previous records, especially those for low-level offenses, have too often served as a form of permanent punishment. Not only does this measure make it easier for records to be sealed, it helps those who did not realize this was an option available to them. I appreciate the bipartisan support this measure received and for the work from advocates, business groups, and law enforcement to make this measure a reality — this is going to help a lot of communities.”

“The Clean Slate Act culminates years of cooperative effort among criminal justice reformers, police agencies, and legislators focused on harmonizing opportunity with security,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago). “By making record sealing automatic for those who qualify, we're getting rid of the red tape that stops people from getting jobs, finding homes, and becoming full members of their communities again.”

The estimated cost of the transition is approximately $20 million over the course of five years, which is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.

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