Reviewed September 28, 2026 against Illinois statute and court-form resources.

Illinois expungement and sealing

Illinois law treats expungement and sealing differently. Whether a record can be expunged or sealed depends on the disposition, offense, sentence, prior history and exceptions in the Criminal Identification Act, 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. The court, not a screening tool, decides a petition.

Find the appropriate route and court forms

The current statutory text describes which arrests, charges, supervision outcomes and convictions may qualify, as well as timing and exclusions. Some dismissed or acquitted matters may be petitioned without a waiting period; other categories have different windows. Do not reuse a waiting period from another type of case.

Illinois's Office of the State Appellate Defender links statewide approved expungement and sealing forms, instructions, fee-waiver forms and a free guided interview. It says these approved forms must be accepted in Illinois courts. Use those official forms rather than a generic petition PDF.

Illinois OSAD: forms and instructions

Filing and notice

The statute generally calls for filing with the circuit court clerk in the jurisdiction of the arrest or charge; matters in multiple jurisdictions may require separate petitions. Fees or waivers may apply. Follow the court's current service and notice instructions; other agencies may have an opportunity to object.

What RecordReset offers

RecordReset currently offers an informational Illinois screener, not an Illinois petition workbook, filing service, or attorney review. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney for case-specific advice.

Illinois record-clearing law is primarily under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 (the unified expungement / sealing statute) and the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (P.A. 101-27). The information here is a summary and not a substitute for review by a licensed Illinois attorney.