Ammons’ Clean Slate Act Signed Into Law

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The “clean slate” bill signed into law on Friday will expand housing, employment and education opportunities for Illinoisans, thanks to legislation headed by state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana. The legislation creates an automatic sealing process for thousands of non-violent arrest records, which will automatically seal many minor criminal records, ensuring these records are accessible only to law enforcement, prosecutors and sensitive employers, such as daycares and schools.

“This legislation will massively change the lives of people who were incarcerated on minor convictions,” said Ammons. “Everyone deserves a second chance, and this law provides a second chance through job, housing, and educational opportunities by simply revamping an antiquated system, cutting the number of hoops formerly incarcerated people have to jump through.”

More than 2.2 million Illinoisans have an old arrest record or minor conviction that would currently qualify for sealing, but the process can be complicated and costly. It’s estimated that only 10 percent of those eligible have been able to receive relief, making it more difficult for many to qualify for affordable housing, to advance their education, and find employment.

Ammons co-sponsored House Bill 1836, known as the Clean Slate Act, which will automatically seal many minor criminal records, ensuring these records are accessible only to law enforcement. Arrests resulting in an acquittal or dismissal will be sealed immediately, while misdemeanor convictions will be sealed after two years. The most serious felonies, domestic abuse convictions, and other violent crimes against persons will not be eligible for sealing.

Additionally, Ammons is co-sponsoring a free Record Expungement event with Champaign County. The event will be held at Parkland College on April 18. You can register for the event here.

“This is a great start, but there is still progress to be made in reintegrating formerly incarcerated people into our society,” said Ammons. “That’s why I’m sponsoring an event to help folks understand if their criminal records can be expunged, and further increase the opportunity for their sealable files to be taken care of.”

The Clean Slate Act was signed into law by Governor Pritzker today and will take effect on June 1, 2026.