petition to expunge

Misdemeanor convictions that cannot be sealed: crimes of violence

April 14, 2022
Thumbnail image for Misdemeanor convictions that cannot be sealed: crimes of violence

NOTE: This page has new content to clarify the recent impact of Public Act 101-223 (effective January 1, 2020) and Public Act 101-651 (effective August 7, 2020). These Acts adjusted the Illinois approach to standard and aggravated domestic battery offenses, including the possibility of a felony charge. A person convicted of a misdemeanor can have […]

Read the full article

2010 expungement law in Illinois changes eligibility and waiting periods

February 19, 2020
Thumbnail image for 2010 expungement law in Illinois changes eligibility and waiting periods

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 […]

Read the full article

Overview: Expunging Your Criminal Record in Illinois

February 27, 2016
Thumbnail image for Overview: Expunging Your Criminal Record in Illinois

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 […]

Read the full article

New Illinois law bans mugshot web sites while Google removes them from search

October 23, 2013
Thumbnail image for New Illinois law bans mugshot web sites while Google removes them from search

People make mistakes… That’s just life, right? But things are different in today’s world, because social media like Facebook and Twitter are available to document people’s mistakes forever. In an instant, arrest records are disseminated for all to see in Google. There is a pernicious industry on the web that preys upon people who were […]

Read the full article

Criminal conviction can result in deportation, even for permanent residents

July 1, 2013
Thumbnail image for Criminal conviction can result in deportation, even for permanent residents

NOTE: This page was refreshed to explain changes to Illinois law under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. When this Act became state law on January 1, 2020, Illinois officially legalized the recreational possession and use of cannabis as well as modified numerous cannabis-related crimes. The impact of a criminal conviction can be long-lasting and […]

Read the full article

Cook County to host annual expungement summit June 2, 2012

May 1, 2012
Thumbnail image for Cook County to host annual expungement summit June 2, 2012

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 […]

Read the full article

Examining State Police expungement statistics

October 4, 2011
Thumbnail image for Examining State Police expungement statistics

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 […]

Read the full article