Sentences

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

Understanding the Risks of Retail Theft in Illinois

February 23, 2016
Thumbnail image for Understanding the Risks of Retail Theft in Illinois

NOTE: The information below includes updated content to explain how Public Act 101-394 adjusted Illinois law on January 1, 2020. After that point, Illinois changed certain aspects of theft crimes committed against elderly or disabled victims, effectively removing the ability to seal such criminal records.  “It was only a shirt.” “No one was looking.” “I […]

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

Felons not required to disclose criminal convictions on Illinois government job applications

October 13, 2013
Thumbnail image for Felons not required to disclose criminal convictions on Illinois government job applications

In an unprecedented move, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has issued an order that allows applicants for state government jobs to apply without having to disclose felony convictions. Governor Quinn calls it an order to ‘Ban the Box,’ referring to the box job applicants have to check to disclose convictions. The administrative order, issued October 3, […]

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

Job applicants with criminal records may find employment under new EEOC policy

October 29, 2012
Thumbnail image for Job applicants with criminal records may find employment under new EEOC policy

As anyone with a criminal record can tell you, one conviction can have a devastating impact on your future. When you apply for a job with a criminal record, you usually don’t expect to make it past the background check. But that all may change soon under an important policy change with the Equal Employment […]

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

Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

December 5, 2011
Thumbnail image for Summary of sentencing rules for misdemeanor offenders

The potential penalties for a Class A misdemeanor offense include up to one year in the county jail and a maximum fine of $2500. Technically, a sentence of incarceration can last for only 364 days. A jail sentence of 365 days or more is only permissible for a felony offense. Additionally, any sentence lasting one […]

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

Statistics show increase in felony charges across state of Illinois

May 29, 2011
Thumbnail image for Statistics show increase in felony charges across state of Illinois

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority has been tracking felony and misdemeanor filings in state courts throughout Illinois over the years, and their findings may surprise you. The findings come as no surprise, however, to attorneys and judges handling these caseloads. The studies prove that, on average, prosecutors are seeking stiffer penalties more than ever. […]

Read the full article

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →