Pursuant to Illinois law, certain cases are eligible to be “expunged” or “sealed, ”thereby removing them from a defendant’s criminal history record or accessibility to the public, respectively. Individuals who have criminal records eligible for this procedure might seek to use it in order to obtain a job, protect a current job, help them with certain licensing prospects or just eliminate the potentially damaging effects of a criminal history record. An individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and pay a mandatory fee in order to expunge and/or seal a criminal arrest or record. Indigent individuals can petition the court for a waiver of fees.
Expungement Process
It is helpful to review the process by which these petitions are filed in the Criminal Division and the steps through which they proceed in order to understand the Expungement/Sealing Procedure. Upon the filing of a Petition to Expunge and/or Seal, the following steps occur:
- A petition is filed with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and it receives a case number.
- A copy of the petition along with a receipt for the fee is given to the petitioner.
- Petitioner receives a form explaining the expungement.
- The Clerk’s office sends out three copies of the petition to: the Illinois State Police, the arresting agency and the Chicago Corporation Counsel.
- A court sheet and index card are created for the petition, and it is logged into the Clerk’s book and data is entered into the Clerk’s computer system.
- The case is then assigned to a judge. Judge schedules vary by location. Please review the location information for each courthouse below.
Courthouses & Protocol
City of Chicago
1st Municipal District
Expungement hearings in the First Municipal District are heard at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
The Presiding Judge of the Criminal Court, or a judge she assigns, hears these cases at 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Courtroom 101.
Indigency requests can be made at the time of filing and will be heard by a judge.
Skokie
2nd Municipal District
Expungement hearings in the Second Municipal District are heard at the Skokie Courthouse.
Filing at the Skokie Courthouse
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides information to the public, including forms and brochures, to seek expungement and sealing of criminal records.
Expungements are filed in the Clerk's Office in Skokie Courthouse Room 136. Indigency requests can be made at the time of filing and will be heard by a judge.
Expungement Help Desk
The Expungement Help Desk is available for people needing free legal assistance regarding their expungement or sealing.
- Located in front of Room 136
- Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Website: www.moran-center.org
- Phone number: (847) 492-1410
Rolling Meadows
3rd Municipal District
Expungement hearings in the Third Municipal District are heard at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides information to the public, including forms and brochures, to seek expungement and sealing of criminal records. Information may be obtained by calling (847) 818-2436. By statute, all expungements are by order of the Presiding Judge, who reviews all requests for expungement and sealing of records, and hears cases as deemed necessary several times each month.
Maywood
4th Municipal District
Expungement hearings in the Fourth Municipal District are heard at the Maywood Courthouse.
Filing at the Maywood Courthouse
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides information to the public, including forms and brochures, to seek expungement and sealing of criminal records.
Expungements are filed in the Clerk's Office in Maywood Courthouse Room 236. Indigency requests can be made at the time of filing and will be heard by a judge.
Bridgeview
5th Municipal District
Expungement hearings in the Fifth Municipal District are heard at the Bridgeview Courthouse. The Expungement Call in the Fifth Municipal District is heard on the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides information to the public, including forms and brochures, to seek expungement and sealing of criminal records. By statute, all expungements are by order of the Presiding Judge, who reviews all requests for expungement and sealing of records, and hears cases as deemed necessary several times each month.
Markham
6th Municipal District
Expungement hearings in the Sixth Municipal District are heard at the Markham Courthouse. Expungement cases are heard on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.
The Clerk of the Circuit Court provides information to the public, including forms and brochures, to seek expungement and sealing of criminal records. Expungement and sealing packets can be obtained and returned to the Clerk of the Circuit Court's Expungement Desk, located in Courthouse Room 119. Call (708) 232-4549 for more information.
Adult Expungement Help Desks
Several organizations offer assistance to individuals seeking to expunge or seal their criminal record. Information on how to connect with these Help Desks is included below.
Operated by Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA), this desk can help individuals clear their criminal backgrounds by applying for expungement and sealing and providing advice and referrals for other remedies, including health care worker waivers and certificates of good conduct.
CGLA accepts online applications on their website: https://www.cgla.net/get-legal-help.
If requesting help in person, the individual must have their criminal record/rap sheet before coming to the Desk for assistance.
Richard J. Daley Center
10th Floor, Room 1006
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL, 60602
(312) 738-2452
Special Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday and Wednesday
Legal assistance provided by the Southwest Suburban Bar Association for expungement paperwork review. Referrals to an attorney are also available. The Pro Bono attorney cannot represent clients in court.
Fifth Municipal District Courthouse
10220 South 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL, 60453
Lower Level, Cafeteria
Tuesdays only, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Phone: (708) 371-4930
Assistance with expungement and sealing of criminal records. Individual must have their criminal record/rap sheet before coming to the Desk for assistance.
Second Municipal District Courthouse
5600 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL, 60077
Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
Additional Information
Identity Theft
If your identity has been stolen or used without your authorization, a process is available to remove someone else’s criminal history from your record. Forms are available from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Certificate of Good Conduct
If you do not qualify for an expungement or sealing of your criminal record, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be available for your situation. Forms are available from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Certificate of Release from Disability
If your criminal history is preventing you from obtaining a state license, a Certificate of Release from Disability may be available for your situation. Forms are available from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County
Cook County Juvenile Center
1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, 1st Floor
Chicago, IL, 60612
(312) 433-4941
Cook County State’s Attorney Office
Cook County Juvenile Center
1100 S. Hamilton Avenue, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL, 60612
(312) 433-7000
Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL, 60431-1060
Attention: Expungement
Office of the State Appellate Defender
(866) 431-4907 or visit:
www.state.il.us/defender/exp.html