An old arrest or conviction can block a job, an apartment, a license — years after the case is closed. But Illinois gives you a real way to clear it, and you can often do it yourself for little or nothing. Here's the difference between expungement and sealing, who qualifies, and exactly how to file.
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Illinois gives you two different ways to clear a record, and they're not the same thing. Filing for the wrong one gets you denied, so this is the first thing to get straight:
Rule of thumb: cases that didn't end in a conviction can usually be expunged; most convictions can at best be sealed.
In January 2026, Illinois became the 13th state to pass automatic sealing. Governor Pritzker signed the Clean Slate Act, and an estimated 1.74 million people could benefit. Eligible non-violent records will eventually be sealed without you filing anything.
Separately, many low-level cannabis records have already been automatically expunged or made eligible under Illinois' cannabis law. The free help desks below can check whether yours was.
Before you file anything, get your official criminal history from the Illinois State Police (the "Access and Review" process — about $16.50). This is your RAP sheet. You need it to confirm exactly what's on your record — the offenses, the dispositions, and the dates — because the waiting periods and eligibility all turn on those details. Don't guess; get the document.
Illinois has standardized, statewide forms accepted at every courthouse. Don't pay anyone for them:
After you file, the State's Attorney has 60 days to object. If nobody objects, a judge can grant your petition without a hearing. If there's an objection, you'll get a court date to show you're eligible and that clearing the record serves the interest of justice — be ready to explain the real harm the record is doing to your life (lost jobs, denied housing). If granted, the agencies have 60 days to carry out the order. Start to finish, expect roughly 4–6 months.
You can file this yourself, but free experts will check your eligibility and your paperwork so you don't get denied on a technicality:
Important: This is general educational information for 2026 under Illinois law (20 ILCS 2630/5.2 and the 2026 Clean Slate Act), not legal advice, and eligibility rules are detailed and change. CCR is not a law firm. Before filing, confirm your specific situation with one of the free legal-help groups above or a licensed Illinois attorney — getting the eligibility and service right is what makes the difference between approved and denied.
Illinois Legal Aid · start your petition →