DuBuclet Backs Measure Automatically Sealing Records for Certain Prior Offenses

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –This week, state Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet, D-Chicago, helped lead the effort to pass the Clean Slate Act an automatic record sealing approach for certain, previously incarcerated individuals. 

“It is too often that previously incarcerated individuals still pay heavy prices for mistakes they made in the past from employers, landlords, and everyday citizens, causing them to face significant challenges upon their release,” DuBuclet said. “Automatically sealing records of certain offenses expedites the process of giving them the second chance at life that they truly deserve. This measure removes the need to go through a burdensome process, and has significant support from businesses and advocates across the state.” 

Senate Bill 1784 transitions the sealing process for certain non-violent offenses from a petition- based process to an automatic one. It does not fully guarantee that a record will be sealed, but it starts the process for qualified cases. Law enforcement and prosecutors will still be able to access records, if necessary, in the future. 

The DuBuclet-backed measure received bipartisan support, and has returned to the Senate for concurrence.