Sign up to participate in the State's Attorney's Project: FRESH START! To participate in this program, you must meet all of the below requirements and agree to the following process:
 

1. DO NOT APPLY if you have pending cases in court (court dates) and/or have not completed the duration of your last sentence (court supervision, conditional discharge, probation, parole, etc.) at least 3-5 years ago.  Convictions for domestic battery, sex crimes, traffic, DUI, and animal abuse are NOT eligible. 

2. You will be contacted by our office if you are eligible for sealing and/or expungement.  For Expungement Fair events, you will receive an approval email to attend the Expungement Fair and you MUST be available to meet with a volunteer attorney to review your options.

3. All are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.  It is open to all who can benefit from the program.

 

4. Complete this form in its entirety: 
 

QUESTIONS?

ELIZABETH JOHNSON

COMMUNITY DIVISION SPECIALIST

ejohnson@kankakeecountyil.gov

(815)936-5852

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OTHER RESOURCES:

State Appellate Defender Website

Illinois Legal Aid - Online

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UPDATE! Clean Slate Act:

Key Provisions & Deadlines

• System Development (July 1, 2026): The Illinois State Police (ISP) will begin to develop and program its criminal history record systems to allow for automatic sealing.

• Automated Sealing Start (2029): The system is set to go fully live by January 1, 2029, with automatic sealing for records created between 1970 and 2029.

• Eligibility: The law covers nonviolent felony and misdemeanor convictions, along with non-conviction records (dismissals, acquittals, successful probation).

• Excluded Offenses: Serious violent crimes, sex offenses, DUIs, reckless driving, traffic tickets, and animal cruelty remain ineligible.

• Impact: The law is expected to affect roughly 1.7 million Illinoisans, reducing the need to petition for sealing in court.