The Clean Slate Act, championed by state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, will automatically seal minor criminal offenses once they become eligible, eliminating costly red tape that has long stood in the way of rehabilitation for thousands of residents throughout the state. Davis sponsored House Bill 1836 to simplify and modernize Illinois’ approach to record sealing. Instead of forcing people to navigate a lengthy and expensive process, the law will make eligible minor offenses automatically sealed — allowing individuals to move forward without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. While sealed records will remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and state’s attorneys’ offices, they will be effectively invisible to employers and those conducting routine background checks. The change will help government offices operate more efficiently and remove barriers that keep qualified Illinoisans from housing and employment opportunities. The Clean Slate Act passed both chambers of the General Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature.