Welch, House Democrats Pass ‘Clean Slate’ Bill, Expanding Career and Housing Opportunities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and House Democrats delivered transformational “clean slate” justice reforms, expanding opportunity for employment, housing, and education by creating an automatic sealing process for thousands of non-violent arrest records. 

“The idea that a person can rehabilitate themselves and rebuild their life is the foundation of our justice system, but for millions of Illinoisans, a mistake or minor offense can become a life sentence of opportunities denied—and that’s fundamentally unjust,” Welch said. “Clean Slate begins to correct this injustice. Automatically sealing old arrest records means jobs for people who may otherwise be passed over. Affordable housing for people who may otherwise be turned away. And it fulfils the promise that everyone who has turned their lives around deserves a real second chance.”

More than 2.2 million Illinoisans have an old arrest record or minor conviction that would currently qualify for sealing, but that 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 even to find employment. 

Welch and Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth recently worked to pass the Clean Slate Act (House Bill 1836), 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. 

The measure is the product of years of negotiation that Gordon-Booth led on behalf of House Democrats with business groups, law enforcement, housing advocates, and criminal justice reformers.

“This is impactful legislation that is going to further heal and positively help more individuals who have done their time start the next chapter in their life,” Gordon-Booth said. “Previous records, especially those for low-level offenses, have too often served as a form of permanent punishment. Not only does this measure make it easier for records to be sealed, it helps those who did not realize this was an option available to them.”