The “Clean Slate” Act, a bipartisan effort to seal nonviolent criminal records in Illinois, faced a setback in the final days of the legislative session this spring. Despite strong support from both sides of the aisle, the bill, Senate Bill 1784, did not make it to the Senate floor for a vote before the session ended.
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, the bill’s chief sponsor in the House, cited the Senate sponsor’s focus on the budget as the reason for the bill’s failure to pass. However, she remains optimistic that the legislation could move forward during the fall veto session or sooner.
The Clean Slate Act aimed to automatically seal eligible nonviolent criminal records for individuals who remain conviction-free for designated waiting periods. This legislation would have provided a second chance for individuals with criminal records by removing barriers to employment, housing, and education.
The current expungement process in Illinois is burdensome and varies by county, leading to long waiting periods and confusion. Clean Slate advocates argue that automating the process would eliminate these challenges and provide relief to thousands of individuals with criminal records.
Despite the bill’s failure to pass, Gordon-Booth has been a champion for expungement aid in Illinois. She has hosted expungement summits in Peoria and introduced similar measures in previous years. Her efforts have garnered bipartisan support and built a diverse coalition of stakeholders.
While some House Republicans expressed concerns about long-term funding and oversight, advocates argue that the upfront cost of implementing automatic record sealing is minimal compared to the long-term benefits. The Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments is urging its members to continue reaching out to legislators to maintain momentum for the bill.
Gordon-Booth is confident that the Clean Slate Act will be back on the table before the end of 2025. She remains committed to providing individuals with criminal records a pathway to a successful life and believes that the bill will ultimately be signed into law.
