Community Advocates Mobilize in Springfield to Push for Clean Slate Reform on March 19 (Springfield, IL) – On Wednesday, March 19, the Clean Slate Illinois Coalition convened at the State Capitol to rally support for the Clean Slate Act, a transformative bill aimed at automating the sealing and expungement process for eligible records. Advocates highlighted the economic and social benefits of the legislation, emphasizing that its implementation could save Illinois millions in administrative costs, strengthen the workforce, and provide second chances to individuals who have remained crime-free for a designated period.
“Clean Slate legislation is not just about erasing past mistakes; it’s about restoring hope, unlocking potential, and giving everyone a fair chance to build a brighter future,” said Marlon Chamberlain, Director of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, the event’s organizing group. “We encouraged everyone who believes in second chances to stand with us in Springfield and make their voices heard.”
Supporters of the Clean Slate Act underscored its potential to remove barriers to employment, housing, and economic stability for thousands of Illinois residents.
“This legislation has the potential to change thousands of lives by removing barriers to employment and housing,” said Sadie Joseph, President of the Westside Chapter of the Fully Free Campaign at the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments and a leader with the North Lawndale Employment Network.
The current record-clearing process remains burdensome and costly, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Advocates emphasized that the petition-based system forces individuals to navigate a complex and expensive legal process, even in cases where they were never convicted.
“Arrest records are in big, bold print, but ‘acquitted’ is in small blue print. And no one has the time or money to navigate the petition-based system,” said Shane Reeves, a leader with the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. “Even if a potential renter or employer sees that someone was acquitted, they often still assume the worst. The stigma alone is enough to deny people opportunities.”
The backlog of record-sealing and expungement cases in Illinois remains a major hurdle to justice.
“At the current pace, it would take Illinois courts 154 years to clear the backlog. That is unacceptable,” noted Pastor Phil Jackson of the Firehouse Community Arts Center and a member of Live Free Illinois.
Directly Impacted Voices Take Center Stage
At the rally, attendees heard powerful testimonies from directly impacted individuals who shared personal experiences and discussed how the Clean Slate Act could create real opportunities for those affected. The event provided an opportunity to hear firsthand about the importance of this legislation, understand its potential impact, and learn specific actions supporters could take to help ensure its passage.
For more information about the Clean Slate Illinois Coalition, visit cleanslateillinois.org.
Community Advocates Mobilize in Springfield to Push for Clean Slate Reform on March 19
