Illinois’ New Clean Slate Law

Illinois has signed the Clean Slate Act (HB 1836) into law, a major change in how criminal records will be sealed in the future. Instead of requiring individuals to file petitions and navigate the courts, many eligible nonviolent records will be sealed automatically by the State once the law is fully implemented.

While the policy goals are significant, the timeline for implementation is very long and the automatic process leaves gaps. Individuals who want relief today, or who may not qualify for automatic sealing, can still petition under Illinois’s existing expungement and sealing laws.

Clean Slate Timeline

The Clean Slate Act is not live yet. It requires multiple agencies to build and test automated systems before records begin sealing on their own. Key dates:

• July 1, 2026: The Illinois State Police begins upgrading databases and infrastructure to identify eligible records
• 2026 to 2028: Data-matching, rule-making, task-force oversight, and agency coordination
• January 1, 2029: Automatic sealing officially begins
• 2029 -2034: Eligible records sealed in waves based on type and waiting period

Advocacy groups and State officials acknowledge that processing may continue for several years after 2029 due to the expected volume of cases. Some estimates suggest that the State could take up to five years just to work through the initial backlog of eligible cases, especially in Cook County.

For many people, that means real relief may not arrive until sometime in the mid-2030s at the earliest.

Who Qualifies for Automatic Sealing

Under Clean Slate, the State will automatically seal:

• Most misdemeanor convictions
• Most nonviolent felony convictions – Classes 1 through 4
• Dismissed cases, acquittals, and arrests without conviction
• Cases that resulting in supervision and probation after completion

Certain categories remain excluded, including violent crimes, sex offenses requiring registration (with limited exceptions), Class X felonies, domestic battery, stalking, animal cruelty, DUI, and reckless driving. Those records will not be automatically sealed.

The Practical Problem: Waiting Years Versus Getting Relief Now

Clean Slate does not replace Illinois’ existing expungement and sealing procedures. It simply creates a future automatic mechanism.

Individuals currently have two options:

1. Wait several years for the State to automate sealing (likely 2030-2034)
2. Petition now through the courts to expunge or seal (if eligible)

For working adults, students, parents, job-seekers, and professional license applicants, waiting five to ten years can be costly. Criminal records affect employment opportunities, rental housing approvals, background checks, professional licensing, and school applications.

Many of our clients come to us because:

• They don’t want to lose income or job promotions while waiting
• They are applying to graduate school or professional programs
• They must pass private-sector background checks
• They are pursuing professional licensing
• Their current employer is restructuring or performing new background checks
• They want peace of mind before major life changes such as relocating or buying a home

Automatic relief may eventually seal a record, but it does not compensate for years of lost opportunity.

Verifying Eligibility and Avoiding Errors

Another key point is that automated systems may not perfectly capture:

• Dispositions spread across different counties
• Name changes and aliases
• Merged or incomplete data in ISP or county systems
• Complex histories involving supervision, probation or multiple case numbers
• Cases that qualify for expungement rather than sealing

Petitioning now allows a lawyer to clean up inconsistencies and ensure maximum relief.

Why Contact An Expungement/Sealing Attorney Now

Our expungement and sealing attorneys have helped hundreds of clients expunge and/or seal their records across Illinois including Cook County, Lake County and DuPage County. We will help:

• Evaluate full eligibility under current law (not just Clean Slate)
• Advise on whether to wait for automatic sealing or move forward today
• Prepare all required filings and represent you at all necessary court hearings
• Work across county and agency systems to avoid errors or delays
• Provide guidance for students and job-seekers

If you wait for Clean Slate, the earliest possible benefit begins in 2029 and may not reach your record until years later. For many people, that is simply too long. If you have a criminal record in Illinois, contact our office for a consultation. The lawyers at The Davis Law Group, P.C. can review your record, explain your options, and help you take control of your future. Contact us today for a free consultation.