Gov. Pritzker Signs Bipartisan Clean Slate Act
Illinois becomes 13th state to create automatic records relief process for individuals with non-violent criminal convictions
January 16, 2026
CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed the bipartisan Clean Slate Act (HB 1836), a law that will automate the state's record-sealing system process for individuals with certain non-violent convictions following a waiting period. Individuals with violent and serious convictions including murder, domestic battery, DUI, sex crimes, and other serious crimes are not eligible for record sealing under the Clean Slate Act. The bill also does not apply to any crimes that aren’t already eligible for sealing.
“For too long, we have been shutting doors for Illinoisans coming home from incarceration after serving their time for non-violent offenses. This bipartisan legislation is about empowering eligible people who seek a second chance to make their own choices about their future, giving them the best opportunity to come back home and get themselves on the right path,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Throughout my time as Governor, we have vigorously pursued common sense, humane criminal justice policies like this one that make our communities safer and give people a real chance for a better life.”
The current record-sealing process varies for all 102 counties in Illinois and is often tedious and complex — relying on the individual to file a petition, obtain legal representation, and make court appearances, all resulting in significant costs. These challenges can deter eligible individuals under current sealing laws from pursuing this process entirely, hindering economic opportunities once an individual has served their time.
Illinois’ automated record-sealing process will become one of the most comprehensive programs in the country — ultimately providing roughly two million eligible Illinoisans with increased access to meaningful employment, housing, and educational opportunities and ensuring that unnecessary and extra-judicial punishment do not continue long after they have completed their court-imposed sentence.
“We know that offering support for people leaving incarceration reduces recidivism,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “This bill will give Illinoisians a second chance to participate in society and will open new opportunities to work, vote, and secure housing. When we practice restorative, inclusive programming, Illinoisans thrive.”
“The Clean Slate Act is projected to benefit eligible conviction or non‑conviction records, which includes most misdemeanors and Class 1–4 non‑violent felonies. Women currently represent 10% of the Illinois prison population and make up a growing share of individuals with arrest and conviction records,” said First Lady MK Pritzker. “Each year, about 58,000 women are released from Illinois jails and prisons, adding to the number of women navigating life with a record. Many of these women are the primary caregivers for their children, aging parents, and family members with disabilities. The Clean Slate Act creates a critical pathway for these women to move forward without the lifelong stigma of an arrest or conviction. Automatic record sealing at this scale is expected to expand access to employment, housing, and education, significantly reducing barriers for women returning from incarceration. It is also projected to inject $4.7 billion in wages into the Illinois economy annually. Removing this barrier opens the door for women to rebuild their lives, support their families, and contribute fully to their communities. My Office remains committed to leading efforts that uplift returning residents and strengthening the systems that help them succeed.”
“To implement the Clean Slate Act, the Illinois State Police will begin a massive upgrade to the Criminal History Records Information System that will implement one of the most comprehensive automated record-sealing programs in the country,” said Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The eligibility and timing criteria outlined in the Act will be incorporated into the system to provide criminal history information when needed to protect the public safety, while significantly streamlining the process for the courts and those who are legally eligible for sealments.”
Eligible Individuals:
- After completion of a sentence and a two-year (misdemeanor) or three year (felony) waiting period, eligible individuals’ records will be automatically sealed for qualifying misdemeanor and felony convictions.
- The records of individuals with dismissed or reversed charges, as well as the records of the underlying arrests, will also be automatically sealed at the conclusion of any case or court process.
Individuals Not Eligible:
- The bill does not expand the types of crimes beyond those that are eligible for record sealing under the current law.
- Individuals who commit violent and/or serious crimes are NOT eligible to have their records sealed. This includes the convictions listed below.
- Ineligible convictions include the following: murder, sex offenses, Class X and other violent crimes, DUI, reckless driving, stalking, domestic battery, orders-of-protection violations, Humane Care for Animals Act violations, and more.
Access to Records:
- Private companies will no longer have access to sealed records.
- Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts will retain complete access.
- Employers and licensing agencies regulated by state or federal law — such as schools, park districts, financial institutions, and public transportation agencies — can access sealed conviction records through ISP fingerprint-based background checks.
- Any entity already authorized by law to access sealed convictions, including state agencies regulating high-sensitive fields, will also retain access.
Transitioning to an Automated System:
- The Clean Slate Act includes an implementation timeline to give agencies the necessary time to prepare and transition to the new system.
- The Act establishes the Clean Slate Task Force, a five-year oversight body composed of key stakeholders, legislators, advocates, and members of the public. The Task Force will guide implementation by reviewing best practices and case studies from other states, and it will help develop effective communication channels and procedures for accurate record matching.
- The Clean Slate Task Force will meet quarterly and report annually to the Illinois General Assembly.
- Under the Clean Slate process, ISP will identify records eligible for automatic sealing and notify the circuit clerk in all 102 counties through the statewide e-filing system. Circuit clerks will then seal the records and send notice to arresting agencies.
Economic and Employment Impact:
- Under the new law, Illinoisans stand to reclaim $4.7 billion in lost wages annually, according to expert estimates.
- Research from other states shows that close to half of respondents with sealed records reported improvements in work, public assistance, and personal finances.
- Once a criminal record is sealed, people see a 22% wage increase on average — just within the first year, research shows.
“Beyond its immediate advantages, the Clean Slate Act holds significant promise for cultivating stronger and more resilient communities. By mitigating reincarceration and disrupting cycles of poverty, this legislation enables individuals to restore their lives without the lingering consequences of prior offenses and records,” said Willette Benford, Senior Advisor to First Lady MK Pritzker. “In turn, families benefit from enhanced stability, and future generations are afforded greater opportunities for success. With the automated sealing process, this will cut through the tedious process and give individuals the hope of a future without exclusion based on prior conviction histories that are no longer relevant.”
“I am deeply proud to have led five years of negotiations that led to this legislation, which is going to change the trajectory of the lives of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans and positively start the next chapter in their life,” said Leader Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria). “Previous records, especially those for low-level offenses, have too often served as a form of permanent punishment. Not only does this measure make it easier for records to be sealed, it helps those who did not realize this was an option available to them. I appreciate the bipartisan support this measure received and for the work from advocates, business groups, and law enforcement to make this measure a reality — this is going to help a lot of communities.”
“The Clean Slate Act strikes a careful balance between opportunity, accountability, and government efficiency,” said Senator Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett). “This bipartisan effort shows we can come together to uphold public safety while also offering meaningful second chances. While records of serious crimes remain fully accessible to law enforcement and the public, this new law gives people who made nonviolent mistakes and have paid their debt a fair chance to move forward and live productive, contributing lives.”
“The Clean Slate Act culminates years of cooperative effort among criminal justice reformers, police agencies, and legislators focused on harmonizing opportunity with security,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago). “By making record sealing automatic for those who qualify, we're getting rid of the red tape that stops people from getting jobs, finding homes, and becoming full members of their communities again.”
“The Clean Slate Act ensures that non-violent individuals who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free are not permanently affected by their criminal record,” said Kane County States Attorney Jamie Mosser. “This law advances our vision of justice by expanding access to employment, education, and housing, while preserving access to sealed records for law enforcement and the courts. When people have paid their debt to society, they deserve a fair opportunity to move forward and contribute to their communities. We are grateful to have worked with the legislature, the sponsors, and the advocates to achieve an appropriate policy outcome for Illinoisans.”
“We are thrilled that Governor JB Pritzker has made Illinois the 13th Clean Slate state by officially signing HB 1836 into law. This victory has been years in the making, and Illinois wouldn’t be positioned to reclaim $4.7 billion in lost wages annually without the tireless work of advocates, lawmakers, directly impacted individuals, families, and community organizations across the Clean Slate coalition,” said Sheena Meade, Chief Director of the Clean Slate Initiative. “With HB 1836 now law, the priority is preparing for its rollout so that 1.74 million eligible Illinoisans are no longer blocked from jobs, housing, or education by outdated bureaucracy. Our coalition partners — including Live Free Illinois, the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, the Workers Center for Racial Justice, Impact for Equity, and Code for America — and bill sponsors Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Sen. Elgie Sims have shown the resolve, persistence, and heart needed to drive real change. We are committed to ensuring a brighter future for Illinois that provides opportunity for people who have earned their second chance.”
“This transformative legislation makes record clearance more attainable and unlocks new pathways to economic opportunity for individuals, families, and communities across the state,” said Tony Maggiore, Midwest Managing Director at JPMorganChase. “JPMorganChase proudly supports second chances — hiring nearly 2,000 people with low-level criminal records here in Illinois and more than 21,000 nationwide. We encourage other businesses to join us in helping more people share in economic growth.”
The estimated cost of the transition is approximately $20 million over the course of five years, which is subject to appropriation by the General Assembly.
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