Illinois State Police

Illinois Law Changes Definition of Forgery in 2012

June 10, 2021
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NOTE: The following information was updated to explore the effect of Public Act 101-645. Since this Act became effective on June 26, 2020, certain Illinois rules have changed concerning the expungement or sealing arrests, charges, and convictions. Forgery is a crime that has gone through many changes under the Illinois criminal code. This offense is […]

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What offenses mandate sex offender registration in Illinois?

July 24, 2020
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NOTE: The following article features updated materials to explain how Illinois law changed with Public Act 101-571. Since an August 2019 effective date, this Act made several changes to Sections 3, 10, and 11 of the Sex Offender Registration Act, including funding sources. Illinois Sex Offender Registration Mandate Illinois law provides that any person who is found […]

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2010 expungement law in Illinois changes eligibility and waiting periods

February 19, 2020
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-027. These changes became effective on January 1st, amending Illinois law to legalize recreational use of marijuana and expunge certain possession charges. State lawmakers changed the law for the expungement process in Illinois significantly in 2010. The new […]

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Overview: Expunging Your Criminal Record in Illinois

February 27, 2016
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NOTE: This article was refreshed to account for Public Act 102-933, which became part of Illinois law on January 1, 2023. Since that date, Illinois modified the Criminal Identification Act to enable a person to request expungement, even after testing positive for cannabis. Expungement is the process where a criminal court disposition is removed from […]

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Racial profiling by Illinois police? Statistics show minorities ticketed more than whites

August 31, 2012
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Chicago radio station WBBM recently reported that statistics show that during traffic stops, minorities are charged with traffic offenses disproportionately. Depending on their sources, statistics can be misleading. But these numbers come from a source that even prosecutors and judges would acknowledge as an authority: the Illinois Department of Transportation. A WBBM Newsradio analysis of […]

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Cook County to host annual expungement summit June 2, 2012

May 1, 2012
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All persons who have ever been arrested in Cook County should be aware of the free expungement seminar scheduled for June 2, 2012. Under Illinois law, any person who is arrested and charged with a crime has a record with the Illinois State Police that can be disseminated nationwide. The record of the arrest remains […]

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Examining State Police expungement statistics

October 4, 2011
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The Illinois State Police are mandated by law to keep track of how many petitions to expunge or seal they receive each year, and what the outcome is. This is a new legal obligation. It became mandatory through the Expungement Backlog Accountability Law. 20 ILCS 2630/14. In the past, the State Police were notorious for […]

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What is Illinois law on speeding in a work zone?

March 13, 2010
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A speeding ticket in a work zone (e.g., construction zone) is an expensive offense under Illinois traffic law, and can result in a suspended driver’s license. The law is set out in the state vehicle code at 625 ILCS 5/11-605.1. The law provides that a ticket for speeding in a work zone has a mandatory […]

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Illinois State Police can deny Firearm Owner’s Identification Card to persons convicted of domestic offenses

March 6, 2010
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Illinois requires all persons who own or purchase firearms to register for a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID card). It is a criminal offense to possess a weapon without a FOID card. The firearms owner must submit the application to the Illinois State Police, who will conduct a thorough background check to see if the […]

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