Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Clean Slate Act, which will automatically seal nonviolent criminal records for millions of residents who’ve completed sentences and met waiting-period requirements. The law makes the sealing process automatic beginning in 2029, covering convictions as well as dismissed or reversed charges, and aims to improve employment and re-entry opportunities. Serious offenses like DUIs and violent crimes remain ineligible, and sealed records won’t be visible in most public background checks.
