Illinois has officially joined the growing list of Clean Slate states. With the signing of House Bill 1836, certain arrest and conviction records will be automatically sealed beginning in 2029, shifting responsibility from individuals to the state. This post explains what the Clean Slate Act does—and doesn’t—cover, outlines important expungement and sealing changes taking effect in 2026, and clarifies when a petition will still be required to clear a criminal record in Illinois.
Read MoreGov. J.B. Pritzker issued just 173 clemency decisions in 2025, continuing a downward trend in pardons and sentence commutations during his second term. This analysis breaks down the data, highlights which offenses were most affected, and explains why many Illinois residents must continue relying on expungement and record sealing—not executive clemency—to move forward with their lives.
Read MoreIn 2013, when Illinois became the last state to issue concealed carry permits, there was an increase in the number of people interested in applying for a F.O.I.D. card, a prerequisite to qualifying for a concealed carry permit. Some people soon discovered that they didn’t qualify for a F.O.I.D. card because of their past criminal history.
Read MoreI listened to the case of a man who’d lost his Green Card some years back and was now facing deportation because of an old felony drug conviction. Although federal immigration authorities ordered the man deported in 2006, at that time his country of origin did not honor such requests. A year or so ago, immigration authorities notified the man that it was renewing its efforts to deport him. Can he petition for executive clemency in Illinois?
Read More
Illinois is on track to join the growing number of states adopting Clean Slate laws that automate parts of the criminal record–sealing process. The Clean Slate Act won’t automate expungement, but it will introduce new waiting periods, remove outdated barriers, and eventually automate the sealing of many convictions beginning in 2029. For anyone navigating record relief, understanding these upcoming changes is essential.
Read MoreIllinois law places specific waiting periods on when you can clear your criminal record, and filing too early can result in an automatic denial by the court. While some non-convictions require short delays before expungement, all convictions carry a three-year wait before they can be sealed—unless you qualify for the education waiver. Understanding these timelines can help you avoid setbacks and move toward a clean record more efficiently.
Read More