Second Chance Summit Fair Offers Opportunity To Expunge And Seal Criminal Records

COOK COUNTY, IL – If you or someone in your family has criminal records that they’d like to expunge or seal, Clerk of the Circuit Court Mariyana Spyropoulos will host her annual Second Chance Summit Saturday, Oct. 10. The county wide initiative ensures the the legal right to expungement and record sealing is not only guaranteed in statute, but accessible in practice to every eligible Cook County resident. Pre-registration is required.

The summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kennedy King College, 740 W. 63rd St., Building U, Chicago. The event is designed to help residents clear past records and move forward with new opportunities.

“I am proud that we were able to assist hundreds of Cook County residents last year,” Circuit Court Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos said in a news release. “That’s why it’s important to me that we move our location every year, so that every community has access to the tools they need to move forward with dignity and opportunity.”

Spyropoulos will deliver remarks to attendees during the summit.

Attendees will receive free legal guidance, and petitions for expungement or record sealing will be prepared on-site. Pre-registration is required, along with a submission of a RAP sheet (Chicago) or an Illinois State Police Criminal History (outside Chicago) to participate.

RAP sheet(s) and/or Illinois State Police Criminal History Record must be uploaded by Sept. 25 to participate.

• Get your RAP Sheet at Chicago Police Department Headquarters at (312) 745-5508 or

• Or call the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification at (815) 740-5160.

“I am proud that we were able to assist hundreds of Cook County residents last year,” Clerk Mariyana Spyropoulos said in a news release. “That’s why it’s important to me that we move our location every year, so that every community has access to the tools they need to move forward with dignity and opportunity.”

Clerk Spyropoulos will deliver remarks to attendees during the summit.

Types of criminal records that can be expunged or sealed include:

• Your case was dismissed or you were found not guilty.
• You completed a qualifying supervision or diversion program.
• Arrests that did not result in a conviction, including misdemeanor and felony offenses that were dismissed, acquitted, or resulted in a finding of not guilty.
• Some convictions:
  • Misdemeanor and felony convictions if they were reversed, vacated, or pardoned. You must also have a Certificate of Eligibility for Expungement from the Prisoner Review Board. Read about the process.
  • Prior Class 4 felony convictions for prostitution.
  • If you are an honorably discharged veteran. This certificate will help you start the process.
  • Certain cannabis convictions. Learn more about expunging a cannabis record.

The following offenses DO NOT qualify for expungement, sealing or executive clemency:

• Sex offenses involving minors
• DUI convictions
• Crimes of violence
• Domestic violence cases
• Aggravated Assault
• Violation of an Order of Protection
• Domestic Battery
• Aggravated Battery
• Aggravated Domestic Battery
• Gun Cases
• DUI convictions
• Sex offenses involving minors
• Reckless driving (unless you were under 25)

Sealing makes your record unavailable to the public without a court order, including: :

• Most misdemeanors
• Many felonies, including jail, probation, conditional discharge, time considered served and fines.

Please note the FBI also receives a copy of your criminal record that it will keep in a file of your criminal history. The criminal records kept by the FBI are not subject to Illinois’ expungement and sealing statutes and cannot be expunged or sealed. (For example, applying for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)

Police agencies and prosecutors will continue to have access to sealed records. Your name is also unavailable for the sealed record in the Clerk’s Office’s electronic docket system.

Employers required by law to do fingerprint background checks, such as schools and hospitals, can still access sealed felony convictions.