Luisi Legal Group
1231 N Ashland Ave
Phone: (773) 276-5541
Driver Defense Team
1625 N Mannheim Rd
Phone: (708) 292-0909
Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols
121 N Main St
Phone: (309) 467-3213
Chicago Trusted Attorneys
444 W Lake St STE 1700
Phone: (312) 519-3171
Kostopoulos Criminal Defense Lawyers
18W140 Butterfield Rd #1504
Phone: (630) 672-4440
The Law Office of Purav Bhatt
1655 S Blue Island Ave #312
Phone: (773) 207-7944
Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC
2126 W Van Buren St
Phone: (312) 262-4072
Terrence J. Wallace, P.C.
54 N Ottawa St B40
Phone: (708) 903-1606
Illinois Traffic and Speeding Ticket Lawyer
58 N Chicago St #506
Phone: (815) 242-2000
Ktenas Law
10750 W 143rd St #55
Phone: (312) 756-8600
The Toney Law Firm
105 W Adams St #2150
Phone: (312) 854-1933
Chicago DUI Attorneys
1655 S Blue Island Ave Suite 324
Phone: (708) 803-5029
The Law Offices of Neil Patel
58 N Chicago St 7th Floor – Suite A
Phone: (815) 717-4015
O’Meara Law LLC
53 W Jackson Blvd STE 919
Phone: (312) 909-0706
Skinner Law Firm, P.C.
7548 W 103rd St
Phone: (312) 852-9937
John W. Callahan, Ltd.
1701 Woodfield Rd #101
Phone: (847) 892-1739
Phil Haddad Law
15255 S 94th Ave
Phone: (708) 833-3505
Fiscella Law LLC
201 E Ogden Ave #215
Phone: (630) 708-6690
Marder and Seidler, Ltd.
1076 S Roselle Rd
Phone: (847) 985-6767
O’Donnell Law Ltd.
290 S County Farm Rd suite o
Phone: (630) 765-7365
McCollum Hodgkinson & Nikitas, LLC.
415 Washington St Ste 103
Phone: (847) 641-2335
G&S DUI Attorneys at Law
33 N Dearborn St #1950
Phone: (312) 739-0500
Robert J. Callahan
53 W Jackson Blvd #1615
Phone: (312) 322-9000
Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C.
26 E Clinton St
Phone: (815) 740-4025
Law Office of Doyle and James, LLC
2535 Bethany Rd Ste 202
Phone: (815) 980-2494
Law Office of Andrew Weisberg
2502 N Clark St #201
Phone: (773) 908-9811
Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel
134 N LaSalle St #860
Phone: (312) 629-0669
Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.
70 W Madison St #1450
Phone: (312) 560-7100
Stephen A. Brundage, Attorney at Law
1749 S Naperville Rd STE 105
Phone: (630) 260-9647
McDermott Law Group, LLC
2001 Ridge Rd
Phone: (708) 747-4500
Law Office of Philip R. Nathe
552 S Washington St #107
Phone: (630) 416-7600
Law Offices of Howard J. Wise & Associates
22 W Washington St #1500
Phone: (847) 508-3421
Honiotes Law Office, Ltd.
58 N Chicago St 7th floor
Phone: (815) 409-7833
Criminal Defense Lawyer of Chicago
53 W Jackson Blvd #1442
Phone: (312) 600-0400
Kopp Law
422 W State St Unit 110
Phone: (630) 749-2919
Law Office of Patricia Magaña, LLC
1555 Bond St #103a
Phone: (630) 448-2001
Mark Galler Law, LLC
1010 Lake St Suite 200
Phone: (708) 638-1662
Masters Law Group LLC
1900 Spring Road
Phone: (312) 609-1700
Walner Law
33 North La Salle Street
Phone: (872) 401-6153
Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C.
1425 McHenry Rd STE 204
Phone: (847) 239-4703
Law Office Of Daniel D. Hinich
17926 S Halsted St #3se
Phone: (312) 465-8000
Law Offices of Alfred Haddad
2601 Chicago Rd
Phone: (773) 203-6040
Law Office of Steven C. Haney
58 E Clinton St 5th floor
Phone: (815) 723-5600
The Davis Law Group, P.C.
191 Waukegan Rd UNIT 305
Phone: (847) 390-8500
Illinois law lets many people clear or hide parts of their criminal history through expungement and sealing under the Criminal Identification Act. Expungement removes eligible arrests and some cases from the state police record and impounds the court file so it is not public, while sealing hides many convictions from the public but keeps limited access for agencies. Relief is not automatic for most cases, so the standard path is filing the statewide forms in the circuit court where the case happened and making sure law enforcement and the prosecutor are served correctly.
How much does it cost to have a record expunged in Illinois?
Filing fees are set by each county and can vary. For example, Cook County lists a filing fee a little over one hundred fifty dollars for adult petitions, and other counties set their own amounts. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for a fee waiver and the court can reduce or waive costs based on your finances.
What cannot be expunged in Illinois?
Most convictions cannot be expunged unless you received a special disposition such as certain supervision outcomes or a governor’s pardon that authorizes expungement. Arrests that ended in dismissal, acquittal, or no charges are often eligible for expungement, and some cannabis cases received special automatic relief. Convictions that are not expungeable may still be eligible for sealing if they fall within the lists allowed by statute.
Is it better to expunge or seal a record?
Expungement removes the state police entry and impounds the court file so the public cannot see it, which is the strongest privacy result for eligible arrests and certain dispositions. Sealing protects many convictions from public view and standard background checks, but courts, police, prosecutors, and some licensing agencies can still access sealed records. If you qualify for expungement it is generally preferred; if not, sealing often achieves most employment and housing goals.
How long does the expungement process take in Illinois?
Timelines vary by county and court workload. After you file, the State’s Attorney typically has a window to object, and then the court reviews the petition and may set a hearing. In practice many cases take a few months from filing to order, and complex records or objections can add time.
How do I apply for the Clean Slate Program in Illinois?
There is no statewide Clean Slate program in effect right now. A Clean Slate bill that would have automated sealing advanced in 2025 but did not become law. You must use the existing petition process with the approved statewide forms unless a future law is enacted.
What is the current law on expungement and sealing in Illinois?
The Criminal Identification Act sets the rules for expungement and sealing of adult criminal records. It defines what can be cleared, the waiting periods, and who can still access sealed files. The Illinois Courts and the Office of the State Appellate Defender publish the official forms and instructions that every circuit court must accept.
Can I file an expungement myself in Illinois?
Yes, many people represent themselves using the standardized forms that every circuit court must accept. You need certified case information, your state police record if required locally, and complete service on law enforcement and the prosecutor. A lawyer is optional, but professional help can prevent mistakes and speed up the process.
Will my expunged record show up on a background check in Illinois?
After expungement, the state police record is cleared and the court file is impounded, so standard private background checks should not report it. Sealed convictions also should not appear on typical consumer reports. Certain agencies and licensing bodies can still see sealed records, and you should keep copies of your court order in case questions come up.
Can police see my expunged record?
Expungement removes the arrest or case from the state police repository and takes it out of public view, while the circuit court file is impounded. Sealed records remain accessible to courts, police, and prosecutors for limited legal uses. Law enforcement access is broader for sealed cases than for expunged arrests and outcomes.
How can I speed up the expungement process?
File a clean packet the first time, including all required forms, certified dispositions, and proof that fines and restitution are satisfied. Serve every required agency and use the current addresses provided by the clerk or court website to avoid delays. Respond quickly to any objections and bring organized copies to any hearing so the judge can rule without continuing the case.
What is the difference between expungement and sealing in Illinois?
Expungement removes eligible entries from the state repository and hides the court file from the public, which is closer to wiping the slate for those arrests and outcomes. Sealing blocks public access to many convictions but keeps limited access for courts, police, and certain agencies. Both forms of relief improve job and housing prospects, but expungement is available only for specific categories while sealing covers a wider set of convictions.
How do I check if my criminal record is clear?
Order your Illinois State Police record review to confirm the repository reflects the court order. Check the public docket in the circuit where your case was filed to make sure the case shows the correct status after the order is entered. Keep certified copies of your orders for your own records and to answer questions from employers or licensing boards.
Do expunged records show up on fingerprinting?
Private fingerprint-based checks should not report expunged arrests or cases once the state record is cleared. Sealed records are not public but can be visible to law enforcement and some licensing agencies that are allowed access. Always keep your order in case a screening vendor needs documentation to correct a report.
What forms do I need to file for expungement or sealing?
Use the statewide standardized forms accepted by every Illinois circuit court. The core packet includes the Request to Expunge and Impound and or Seal Criminal Records, the Notice of Filing, and the proposed Order to Expunge and or Seal. The Illinois Courts and the Office of the State Appellate Defender host the latest versions and step by step instructions.
What happens at the court hearing for expungement in Illinois?
If the judge sets a hearing, the court reviews your eligibility and any objection from the State’s Attorney or an agency. You may be asked brief questions about the disposition, completion of probation, and restitution or fines. If the petition is granted, the court signs an order and the clerk and state police carry out the updates to the record.
Official Sources
- Illinois Criminal Identification Act — 20 ILCS 2630/5.2
- Illinois Courts — Approved Expungement and Sealing Forms
- Office of the State Appellate Defender — Expungement and Sealing
- Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court — Adult Expungement and Sealing
- Illinois State Police — What’s on My Record
- Illinois State Police — FAQs on Record Relief
- Illinois General Assembly — SB1784 Clean Slate Bill Status
- Circuit Court of Cook County — Expungements for Adults