Illinois Sen. passes Clean Slate Act to seal criminal records for crimes not considered serious

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would automatically seal criminal records for people convicted of crimes not considered “serious.”

House Bill 1836, also known as the Clean Slate Act, aims to serve as a large step forward in criminal justice reform.

“The Clean Slate Act is about creating pathways to opportunity for people who have earned a second chance,” State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) said in a release. “By automating the sealing process for eligible records, we’re removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that keep people from finding employment, securing housing, and fully reintegrating into their communities. At the same time, we’ve been deliberate in maintaining strong public safety protections and ensuring law enforcement has the access they need.”

The Clean Slate Act would automate the sealing of criminal records that are already eligible under current law, eliminating the need for people to navigate a complex petition process.

This means non-conviction records would be automatically sealed, but serious crimes such as murder, sex offenses, human trafficking, Class X felonies, violent crimes, DUI and domestic battery are excluded from the automatic sealing.

While these sealed records won’t be available to private background check companies, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, the Department of Children and Family Services and state agencies authorized by law would retain full access to these records.

This would also create the Illinois Clean State Task Force to monitor the development of processes for sealing criminal records without petition, create an implementation plan and oversee the execution of the measure’s provisions.

“The passage of the Clean Slate Act represents years of collaboration among criminal justice reform advocates, law enforcement and policymakers committed to balancing redemption with public safety,” Sims said. “This measure reflects Illinois’ commitment to evidence-based policy that recognizes the value of second chances while protecting communities.”