Guide To Expungements And Record Sealing In Peoria, Illinois

Criminal record and handcuffsAs a criminal attorney in Peoria, Illinois, I am often approached by clients seeking information about expunging or sealing their criminal records. This is a common request for a variety of reasons. Perhaps an individual was arrested, but never charged with a crime and is now unable to pass an employment background check. Perhaps an Illinois resident was charged with a crime years ago and has been unable to secure credit to buy a home. Perhaps a conviction for a minor offense is preventing a person from obtaining a professional license. In each case, expunging or sealing their criminal records may alleviate these problems.

Illinois is one of many states whose laws establish a process for eliminating or sealing records of past arrests or convictions for certain offenses. Doing so can help restore a person’s rights and status after being arrested for or convicted of a crime. The existence of a criminal record, even for an arrest with no conviction, can have devastating long-term consequences. Considering the widespread use of background checks for employment, credit applications, housing and more, those with criminal records are often prevented from moving on from the stigma of their past.

For individuals who are eligible to seek expungement or record sealing, the benefits can be significant. Expunging a record essentially erases the record as though it never existed. Sealing a record removes it from the public domain. Other than in limited situations, information from sealed records or expunged records will not be discoverable. As a result, previously foreclosed employment, housing, professional and financial opportunities may be available. Given the potential rewards of successfully erasing or shielding one’s criminal record from the public eye, eligible persons should strongly consider taking advantage of this process.

This guide is intended to provide basic information about expungements and record sealing in Peoria and other areas of Illinois. You can navigate the guide by using the “jump to section” links below. Topics addressed include:

  1. Understanding Expungements and Record Sealing in Peoria and other Illinois areas (jump to section)
  2. The Differences Between Expungements and Sealing of Illinois Records (jump to section)
    • The Legal Effects and Benefits of Expunging Illinois Criminal Records
    • The Legal Effects and Benefits of Sealing Illinois Criminal Records
  3. Understanding a Peoria Resident’s Eligibility For Expungement or Sealing Illinois Criminal Records (jump to section)
    • Who May Request Expungement of their Illinois Criminal Records?
    • Who May Request Sealing of their Illinois Criminal Records?
  4. The Process of Requesting Sealing or Expungement of an Illinois Criminal Record (jump to section)
    • Gathering Records and Determining Eligibility for Illinois Expungement or Sealing Requests
    • Filing a Request to Expunge or Seal and Illinois Criminal Record in Peoria and Elsewhere
    • Potential Outcomes
    • Automatic Expungements and Alternative Processes for Certain Illinois Cannabis Offenses
  5. One’s Rights After a Successful Sealing or Expungement (jump to section)
  6. Special Note About Juvenile Expungements (jump to section)
  7. Retaining a Lawyer to Assist with a Request for Illinois Expungements or Record Sealing (jump to section)

Understanding Expungements and Record Sealing in Peoria and other Illinois areas

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Reading a criminal recordIllinois residents who have been arrested, charged, or convicted of criminal offenses have a criminal record. This is true even if a person was never actually found guilty or otherwise convicted of a crime. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state are required to supply information they gather about arrested suspects, those charged or prosecuted, and the disposition of each case to the Illinois Department of  State Police. Records of Arrests and Prosecutions (also known as “RAP Sheets”) are permanent documents maintained in physical and electronic form to track information necessary to organize and operate the criminal justice system effectively.

Adult criminal records are publicly available and can be viewed by anyone. This means one’s family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers can typically discover information about one’s criminal past. Furthermore, potential employers, landlords, banks and others may access a person’s record as part of conducting routine background checks. As a result, it is not uncommon to be denied employment, credit, housing, or professional licensing based on this information. For individuals who were arrested but never actually convicted of a crime, and are fully rehabilitated or who simply wish for a second chance, the ongoing negative impact of their criminal record can seem harsh and unfair.

The Illinois legislature and criminal justice system agrees. Pursuant to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act[i], it is possible to have one’s criminal record expunged or sealed under certain circumstances. The purpose of this guide is to explain Illinois law regarding adult criminal expungements and sealing of records and to provide an overview of the process to obtain such relief. The following sections will discuss and compare the legal effect and benefits of both expungements and record sealing. They will also address eligibility requirements, legal procedures for requesting relief and one’s rights after successfully expunging or sealing a criminal record.

Whether or not one is eligible for either procedure will depend upon the specifics of an individual’s criminal history. The various requirements of the statute and the legal procedures involved can seem overwhelming. Legalization of certain activities, such as adult-use marijuana, can lead to further complications. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you review your case and determine how best to proceed. If you need assistance, contact my office today to speak with a Peoria attorney.

The Differences Between Expungement And Sealing Of Illinois Records

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The terms “expunged” or “sealed” records are commonly used in popular culture, but they are not always understood. In Illinois, these terms are not interchangeable. There are distinct differences between the two. Under Illinois law, it is possible to request the expungement or sealing of criminal records if an individual meets certain eligibility requirements. Expunging essentially means deleting the record from existence. This option is typically available for those who have been arrested or charged with criminal activity but have never been convicted of a criminal offense. For those who are not eligible to seek expungement, it may still be possible to seal or hide criminal records from the public view. If successful, either process can be extremely beneficial for the seeker. This section will delve deeper into the differences between the two outcomes and the legal effect of both.

The Legal Effects And Benefits Of Illinois Expungements

Under Illinois law “expunge” means …“to physically destroy the records or to return them to the petitioner and or obliterate the petitioner’s name from any official index or public record, or both.”[ii] In other words, if a criminal record is expunged, it is stricken from the official records. Once expunged, information about the underlying arrest, charge or disposition of the case is erased as if it never occurred. A person requesting to have their record erased is known as the “petitioner.” In the eyes of the law, a petitioner who is successful in obtaining court approval for expungement will no longer have a criminal record related to the expunged matter.

The legal effect of obtaining an expungement is significant. Once a record is expunged, no criminal record will be available to members of the public, most employers, or to third parties. Expunged activity will not be visible through standard and fingerprint background checks. Individuals with expungements are not required to disclose criminal activity that has been expunged from their records. If the entire criminal record was erased, one may answer “no” if an employer asks whether one has ever been convicted of a crime. Law enforcement agencies, military officials, court services, and The Department of Child and Family Services can still see expunged records for pardoned convictions and certain expungements that require a five year waiting period for limited purposes only.

Expunging a criminal record can benefit an individual in a variety of ways. Employers, landlords, banks, etc. commonly require applicants to undergo a criminal background check during their screening process. A person may believe that if they were arrested or charged with a crime but have never been convicted, the employer would look the other way. Very often, however, arrest records or charges for petty offenses can prevent a person from obtaining employment, getting an apartment, or a loan. If an individual’s record is expunged, it is as if the arrest and/or charge never existed. It will not be revealed during a background check nor is the individual required to disclose the prior criminal history. Expunging one’s criminal record can unlock opportunities that were otherwise unavailable.

Legal Effect and Benefits of Sealing Illinois Criminal Records

When a record is sealed rather than expunged, the record is retained and maintained in the record-keeping system but made unavailable without a court order unless a specific statutory exception applies.[iii]  Under Illinois law, all sealed records are still available to law enforcement agencies, such as police, prosecutors, military, The Department of Children and Family Services, and correctional officers. In addition, employers who are required by law to conduct fingerprint background checks before hiring an employee can see sealed criminal convictions. These include banks, schools, parks, childcare facilities, or healthcare organizations.

Unlike an expungement, an individual’s sealed criminal record still exists. Subject to the exceptions listed above, however, a sealed record will generally be confidential. This means it will be unavailable to the public, most employers, landlords, etc. While record sealing may not have the same legal meaning as expungement, the benefits are much the same. Similar to expunged records, sealed records will not be discoverable through customary background checks and do not have to be disclosed on job applications inquiring about prior convictions. Employers and real estate professionals are legally prohibited from discriminating against a person on the basis of having a sealed or expunged criminal record.[iv] Sealing one’s criminal records can open previously closed doors related to employment opportunities, leasing or purchasing real estate, or obtaining credit or loans from financial institutions.

Understanding A Peoria Resident’s Eligibility For Expungement Or Sealing Illinois Criminal Records

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Expungement and criminal recordAs discussed above, the benefits of expunging or sealing criminal records of one in Peoria or elsewhere can be significant. For that reason, many individuals with criminal backgrounds are interested in this process. It is important to understand, however, that expungement and record sealing is not available to everyone. Individuals seeking relief should review the eligibility requirements to determine whether either option may be available. If you need assistance, an experienced Peoria criminal defense attorney can help review your record and determine how best to proceed.

First, our state’s legal process for expunging or sealing records applies only to criminal matters which occurred within the State of Illinois. This means that records of civil cases, such as evictions, civil protection orders, and some minor traffic offenses are not able to be expunged or sealed through this process. It also means that federal criminal records or out of state arrests, charges or convictions may not be expunged or sealed through the Illinois legal process. In addition, other processes are in place to protect a person whose identity was used by someone else during an arrest and was therefore wrongfully charged to remove that information from their record. The expungement process will not remove the incorrectly recorded information.

Who May Request Expungement Of Their Illinois Criminal Records?

Pursuant to the Illinois Criminal Identification Act[v], an adult who has been convicted of a criminal offense cannot seek to expunge their criminal record, unless a specific statutory exception exists. According to the statute, a conviction includes the finding of guilt resulting in jail or prison time, fines, release after time served, conditional discharge or non-qualified probation. A conviction does not include successful completion of court supervision or qualified probation. Unsuccessful completion of either will be considered a conviction. In order to be eligible for expungement, the arrest or charge must have been resolved by acquittal, dismissal, arrest without being charged with the offense, successful completion of supervision/qualified probation or meet one of the following exceptions:

  • A guilty verdict or conviction was reversed or vacated by the court
  • A guilty verdict or conviction was pardoned by the governor
  • After a guilty verdict or conviction, an honorably discharged veteran was granted special permission from the Prison Review Board to seek expungement

The nature of the underlying offense may also impact one’s ability to seek expungement. For instance, expungement is not available to individuals sentenced to court supervision for DUI, sex offenses involving a minor, or reckless driving over the age of 25. Individuals under the age of 25 who are charged with reckless driving may not seek expungement of the related criminal records until such time as they turn 25 and only if they have no additional reckless driving convictions at the time of the request. Other charges are subject to either a five-year or two-year waiting period depending on the underlying offense. If an individual is sentenced to court supervision for one of the following offenses, five years must elapse from the date of successful completion before the record may be expunged:

  • Sexual abuse not involving a minor
  • Certain violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code relating to the failure to maintain required insurance
  • Offenses resulting in qualified probation (typically first time drug offenses or offenses tied to drug or alcohol addiction)

For all other misdemeanors and felony offenses, petitioners seeking expungement are subject to a two-year waiting period following the successful completion of their court supervision.

Who May Request Sealing Of Their Illinois Criminal Records?

If some or all of an individual’s criminal record is not eligible for expungement, it may still be possible to request that the remaining record be sealed. Similar to expungements, the nature of the underlying offense will impact whether and when Illinois residents may make a request for their record to be sealed. As a threshold matter, arrests and charges that did not result in a conviction can be sealed at any time. Unlike expungements, certain convictions for misdemeanors or felonies may also be sealed. Unless specifically excluded from eligibility by the Criminal Identification Act[vi], most sentences can be sealed if at least three years have elapsed since the successful completion of an individual’s last sentence. This includes those sentenced to first time drug offenses or qualified probation, who may also attempt to expunge their record completely after the five-year waiting period. Individuals who complete certain education goals during their sentence may be able to eliminate or reduce the three-year waiting period.

Offenses for which records cannot be sealed, include convictions or supervisions for:

  • Certain sexual offenses, including solicitation or patronizing a prostitute, offenses requiring registration as a sex offender, and felony public indecency
  • DUI or reckless driving (if the driver is over 25)
  • Domestic battery
  • Violations of civil protections orders or civil and stalking no-contact orders
  • Certain animal-related charges, such as dog fighting, beating or abandonment offenses

For individuals who have multiple offenses on their criminal record, it is possible that some may qualify for both expungement and sealing, one or the other or neither process. It is important to carefully review your criminal records to understand the offense for which one was arrested, charged or convicted and the ultimate disposition of the case. This information will dictate whether one is eligible and which process or processes may be appropriate for your specific situation. If you need assistance understanding your records or determining if your Illinois records may be expunged or sealed, contact my office to speak with an experienced Peoria criminal defense attorney.

The Process Of Requesting Sealing Or Expungement Of An Illinois Criminal Record

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In addition to setting forth the parameters for expungements and record sealing in Illinois, the Criminal Identification Act establishes the formal legal process for making such requests for adults.[vii] (For information about expunging or sealing juvenile records, see “Special Note About Juvenile Expungements” below.) This section of our guide will provide an overview of that process, including filing requirements, the various parties involved, factors considered by the judge and potential outcomes. Like other legal proceedings, it is important to comply with the formalities required by the statute and expected by the court. As discussed more completely in this section, failing to comply could result in a request being dismissed on a technicality. It is also important to remember that even if one is eligible to seek expungement, the judge will make their decision based on the specific facts of each case. For these reasons, it is important to consult with counsel if you need assistance completing the forms or understanding the legal process. A criminal defense lawyer can also help prepare you for scheduled hearings or through the appeals process if necessary. If you need assistance, contact my office to speak to an attorney.

Gathering Records And Determining Eligibility For Illinois Expungement Or Sealing Requests

As referenced above, the first step in understanding whether Illinois criminal records may be expunged or sealed is gathering and reviewing the records themselves. There are various ways to locate and obtain copies of criminal records. If one is aware of the county or counties in which records exist, one may contact local law enforcement and request copies of the records. Note that if an individual has been arrested, charged or convicted of offenses in multiple counties, it is necessary to gather records from each county. It may also be possible to gather information from the internet, through online clerks of court databases for each county. In addition, one may request a statewide report through the Illinois State Police database. Fees may apply for some or all of these requests.

Once the relevant records have been collected, one can review the information to determine eligibility for expungement or sealing. Important information will include dates of arrests, charges, how the matter was resolved, sentencing information and dates that sentences were completed. As discussed earlier in this guide, certain offenses may not be able to be expunged or sealed from criminal records and others are subject to specific waiting periods. Some records may be difficult to locate, understand or be unclear regarding eligibility for expungement or sealing. An attorney can help you gather and evaluate the information.

Filing A Request To Expunge Or Seal An Illinois Criminal Record In Peoria And Elsewhere

After establishing that an individual is eligible to request that their criminal record be expunged or sealed, the next step is to prepare and file the necessary court documents with the appropriate county court. Filings will include a Request to Expunge & Impound and/or Seal Criminal Records as well as Notices of Filing for Expungement and/or Sealing. Depending upon the number of arrests or cases on an individual’s record, additional filings may be required. It is important to note requests must be made in the county in which the arrest or charge occurred. If necessary, one may need to initiate proceedings in multiple counties.

When the Request is filed, the court will notify all law enforcement agencies that were involved in the relevant arrests, charges or convictions identified for potential expungement or sealing. This will include police departments, prosecutors and probation officers that were involved in the case and identified in the Notice of Filing submitted to the court. Each of the identified persons or entities will be given the opportunity to review and object to the the individual’s request. Objections must be submitted in writing within 60 days after the Notice was sent. If anyone objects, the petitioner will receive a copy of the objection from the court. Objections do not mean that the petitioner’s request has been or will be denied, however judges may consider objections when deciding whether to grant the request. The requesting party will be given an opportunity to respond to the objection on the record.

In addition to objections, a judge may consider the petitioner’s criminal history, age, employment history, the amount of time that has passed between the underlying event and the request, the nature of the offense, etc. The judge may be interested in extenuating circumstances justifying a request or positive contributions by the petitioner to their community. For example, it may be possible to provide a copy of one’s diploma, community service information, letters of recommendation from a teacher or employer or certificates of completion of training or treatment programs.

Petitioners may be required to attend a hearing at which the court may review the case. Some counties require hearings for each request, while others only require a hearing if objections have been filed. If you have been scheduled for a hearing, it is important to attend, be on time and be prepared to discuss your request. You may be asked to respond to objections or questions about your case at the hearing. You should be prepared to explain why you have requested expungement or sealing of your records, such as denial of employment or housing because the information is available on a background check.

If you need assistance preparing the Request or compiling supporting documentation, contact an attorney with expungement and record sealing request experience. Your attorney can help you present your case effectively to the court, respond to objections if necessary and prepare for hearing. My office has experience handling requests for expungements and sealings in Peoria and elsewhere in Illinois. Contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.

Potential Outcomes

After the Request has been filed, notices given to the appropriate parties and the conclusion of the hearing, if any, the court will issue its decision. If the Request is approved, the court will notify the necessary authorities and instruct them to seal or expunge your records pursuant to the order. This process must be finished within 60 days, following which the petitioner will receive a notification that the expungement or sealing is complete. If the Request is denied, the individual’s criminal records will remain as they were prior to the request. It is possible, however, to ask the court to re-evaluate a denied Request by filing a Motion for Reconsideration or Notice of Appeal. Whether or not a Request is approved or denied will depend upon the specific facts of each case.

Automatic Expungements And Alternative Processes For Certain Illinois Cannabis Offenses

Following the legalization of adult-use marijuana in Illinois, lawmakers created an alternative process for expunging criminal records related to arrests, charges and convictions for certain violations of the Cannabis Control Act.[viii]  “Minor Cannabis Offenses” may be automatically expunged from one’s records. These are generally defined as arrests, charges or convictions for the possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana. Those arrested, charged or convicted of having more than 30 grams and less than 500 grams may be eligible for an abbreviated request process. Eligibility, timing and process depend upon a number of factors.

Records for individuals who were arrested or charged with a Minor Cannabis Offense prior to June 25, 2019 will be automatically expunged. This applies if the incident was not tied to a violent crime, the individuals had no additional police contact for the year following the incident and the person was not convicted of the offense. Those eligible for this process do not have to take any action to complete the expungement. The Department of State Police will take all necessary legal steps and notify impacted parties when the records have been expunged. Given the large number of criminal records affected by this process, automatic expungements may take time. The statute provides for the following timelines:

  • If the records were created between January 1, 2013 and June 25, 2019, expungement must be completed no later than January 1, 2021;
  • If the records were created between January 1, 2000 and prior to January 1, 2013, expungement must be completed no later than January 1, 2023; and
  • If the records were created before January 1, 2000, expungement must be completed by January 1, 2025.

If a person was convicted of one or more Minor Cannabis Offenses that were not tied to violent crimes, the process is a bit different. Like the process above, the Department of State Police will handle the expungements on behalf of the impacted residents. In this instance, qualified individual’s records are automatically provided to the Prisoner Review Board who will recommend a pardon authorizing expungement. Once the pardons are approved and the records are expunged, residents will be notified.

Individuals whose criminal records involve arrests, charges or convictions for possessing more than 30 grams of marijuana and who may have other aggravating factors connected to their cases, such as related violent offenses, automatic expungement is not an option. The statute creates a separate process than the one outlined above for other criminal records in this case. An individual may initiate the request after completion of the non-financial conditions of their sentence rather than the longer waiting periods in place for other offenses. Determinations of whether these requests for expungement will be granted are within the discretion of the judge. The process may also be initiated directly by any State’s Attorney if eligible individuals are identified. In that instance, the individuals impacted will not participate in the proceeding and will be notified upon approval and expungement.

In addition to these new streamlined processes, the statute specifically allows for Illinois residents with criminal records for Minor Cannabis Offenses or other cannabis related crimes to request expungement or sealing of records per the normal process. This option may be attractive to those who desire to have their records expunged faster than the stated deadline or who may not be eligible for one of the abbreviated procedures. If you are not sure whether your marijuana record will be automatically expunged or if you need assistance with other cannabis offenses, contact my Peoria office to speak to an attorney.

One’s Rights After A Successful Sealing Or Expungement

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background form with pencilAs mentioned previously in the guide, Illinois residents with criminal records are often treated differently than others. Publicly available information about a person’s criminal history can result in gossip, poor treatment, or discrimination against the person and their family. The existence of arrests, charges or convictions on one’s background check can lead to denial of employment, housing, professional licenses, bank services, and more. Even when arrests or charges do not result in a conviction for a crime, a criminal record can interfere with one’s life and livelihood. Expunging or sealing existing criminal records may alleviate some or all of these concerns.

If expunged, a person’s criminal record is erased as if it never existed. If sealed, the records are no longer available publicly. In both instances, some information may still be discoverable by law enforcement agencies, military offices or certain other state agencies or employers required by law to conduct fingerprint background checks. In the case of sealed records, a felony conviction may lead to the unsealing of all previously sealed records. For the most part, however, the information should remain confidential in connection with background checks by employers, housing applications, credit checks and applications and professional licensing.

Those with expunged or sealed records are entitled to answer “no” to questions on job applications about prior criminal convictions. In fact, unless an employer is authorized by law to do so, it is not legal in Illinois to ask applicants if they have sealed or expunged records. Pursuant to the Illinois Human Rights Act[ix], employers are also prohibited from taking discriminatory action against employees if they learn about sealed or expunged records after a person has been hired. Similarly, real estate professionals, such as brokers and landlords cannot discriminate against or refuse to sell or lease real estate to a potential buyer or tenant with a sealed or expunged criminal record.[x]

Successfully expunging or sealing criminal records in Illinois can create opportunities that may not have been available to someone whose records were publicly available. In addition, doing so may provide peace of mind and a sense of having a clean slate. Given the legal and personal benefits of expungement or sealing of records, those eligible should strongly consider the process. If you need assistance, contact my office today to speak to an attorney.

Special Note About Juvenile Expungements

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Juvenile records are treated differently than adult criminal records under Illinois law. First, juvenile records are automatically sealed. This means that records accumulated before one reaches the age of 18 (unless charged as an adult) are not publicly available and are treated confidentially. The information remains available, however, to law enforcement, certain employers, and government agencies in connection with legally required background checks for certain jobs, such as childcare, healthcare or elder care. For these reasons, it may still be preferable to seek expungement of one’s juvenile records.

The Juvenile Expungement Act[xi] establishes the procedures for expunging juvenile records. Arrest, charges and conviction records for many juvenile offenses are automatically expunged after the incident is closed and following the passage of a designated period of time so long as no additional criminal records are pending. Criminal records related to violent crimes or sex-related offenses may not qualify for automatic expungement. In those cases, it is possible to petition the court to have the records erased. If a juvenile was found guilty of first-degree murder or a felony sex crime, the records cannot be expunged.

Similar to the adult criminal record expungement process, an individual must gather their juvenile records to determine whether their charges have been automatically expunged of if they are eligible to seek expungement for remaining records. Individuals with juvenile records in multiple counties must request records from each county and may be required to seek expungement in multiple locations. Once requests are filed, law enforcement agencies will be notified and be given the opportunity to object. Petitioners may be required to attend a hearing at which time they may respond to any objections. The final outcome will be in the discretion of the judge and will be based on the specific facts of each case. An individual will be notified of the outcome by the court. If successful, it is important to retain the final court order in one’s records, as it may be difficult to obtain another copy. If the request is denied, it is possible to seek reconsideration through the legal system or appeal the court’s decision.

Retaining A Lawyer To Assist With A Request For Illinois Expungement Or Record Sealing

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As mentioned throughout this article, seeking to expunge or seal criminal records can be complicated. An experienced defense attorney will understand how to gather the relevant records and determine one’s eligibility for expungement or sealing. Counsel will be familiar with the required legal procedures and prepare and file documents in compliance with these rules. In addition, a seasoned lawyer will understand how best to present an individual’s case to the judge, either through documentary evidence or at hearing. Finally, effective counsel will be prepared to handle a case from start to finish, including appealing unfavorable outcomes if necessary.

I am a Peoria, Illinois attorney assisting those who wish to request expungement or sealing of their criminal records. I will use your initial consultation to gain an understanding of your situation and to help you gather your records and understand whether you are eligible to proceed. I will quickly identify and submit the appropriate paperwork and supporting documentation on your behalf and will keep you up to date throughout the process. I will also represent your interests at a hearing or on appeal if necessary. I have experience with our local courts and can help you navigate the appeals system. Contact my office today.

In addition to Peoria, I service the cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington. I also serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford. I also handle federal cases in Urbana.

Publicly available criminal records can lead to unfair treatment with respect to housing, employment, banking and more. I pride myself on providing a high level of service and helping my clients challenge and resolve these matters. I stay in contact with my clients throughout the entire legal process. I promptly respond to messages and regularly provide clients with my cell phone number. I will make myself available to answer your questions. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to expunge or seal your criminal records, contact me today to schedule a consultation.

[i] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/0.01, et. seq.) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[ii] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/5.2(a)(1)(E)) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[iii] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/5.2(a)(1)(K)) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[iv] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (775 ILCS 5/2-103 and 5/2-103) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2266&ChapterID=64

[v] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/0.01, et. seq.) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[vi] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/0.01, et. seq.) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[vii] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/0.01, et. seq.) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[viii] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (20 ILCS 2630/5.2(i)) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=350&ChapterID=5

[ix] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (775 ILCS 5/2-103) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2266&ChapterID=64

[x] See Illinois Compiled Statutes (775 ILCS 5/3-102) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2266&ChapterID=64

[xi] See Illinois Compiled States (705 ILCS 405/5-915) accessed on February 26, 2020 at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=070504050K5-915