Sealing Hides your criminal record from most of the Law enforcement agencies can still see sealed records. Employers required by law to conduct background checks can see sealed felony convictions. They cannot see sealed misdemeanor convictions or cases not resulting in convictions unless the employer is a law enforcement agency.

• Any pending criminal charges;
• Any sentences you have not yet completed, including parole, probation, or court supervision; OR
• The necessary "waiting period" has not passed.

Arrests and charges for misdemeanors and felonies that did not lead to a conviction can be sealed at any time,

except minor traffic offenses, unless you were released

without being charged. Cases with the following sentences on your criminal record can be sealed if at least 3 years have passed since the successful completion of your last sentence:

• Convictions for most misdemeanors and felonies, except those listed in the next
• NOTE: If your conviction requires registration under the Arsonist Registration Act or the Murderer and Violent Offense Against Youth Registry, that conviction may not be sealed until you are no longer required to register.
• The following can be expunged after 5 years, but could qualify for sealing after 3 years:
  • Arrests or charges not initiated by arrest resulting in orders of first offender probation under Section 10 of the Cannabis Control Act, Section 410 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, Section 70 of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or Section 5-6-3.3 (Second Chance

• Violation of an Order of Protection (720 ILCS 5/12- 4), Civil No-Contact Order (740 ILCS 22) or Stalking No-Contact Order (740 ILCS 21/1-135)
• Sexual Offenses
  • Soliciting a Prostitute or Patronizing a Prostitute (720 ILCS 5/11-18)
  • Public Indecency (720 ILCS 5/11-30) if convicted of a felony (misdemeanor convictions are eligible)
  • Any other misdemeanor offense listed under Article 11 of the Criminal Code (with the exception of Prostitution) (720 ILCS 5/11)
  • Any offense that requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act
• Animal Offenses
  • Dog Fighting (720 ILCS 5/48-1)
  • Class A misdemeanors under the Humane Care for Animals Act, such as beating or tormenting an animal, or abandonment (510 ILCS 70/01; 510 ILCS    70/4.03;     510     ILCS     70/5; 510    ILCS    70/5.01;     510     ILCS     70/6; 510 ILCS 70/7.15)
• New felony convictions after you already had felony convictions sealed. NOTE: a new felony conviction after your sealing may result in the unsealing of your past felony (20 ILCS 2630/5.2(c)(4))

What if I have some offenses that can be sealed and some that cannot?

• The offenses that qualify for sealing can be
• The offenses that do not qualify for sealing will stay on your criminal

NOTE: You may be able to seal all eligible offenses upon the completion of your LAST sentence instead of after the 3 or 5 year waiting period if you completed one of the educational goals listed below during the period of your last sentence and had not already completed the same goal. The following educational goals are eligible: (1) high school diploma; (2) associate's degree; (3) career certificate; (4) vocational or technical certification; (5) bachelor's degree; (6) passed the high school GED test.

 The following types of arrests, charges, and sentences on your criminal record cannot be sealed:

• Convictions and supervision for these misdemeanors and felonies:
  • Minor Traffic Offenses
  • Driving Offenses
    • Driving Under the Influence (625 ILCS 5/11-501)
    • Reckless Driving (unless under 25 at the time of the offense and no other convictions for DUI or reckless driving) (625 ILCS 5/11-503)
  • Domestic Battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3.2)
  • Violation of an Order of Protection (720 ILCS 5/12- 4), Civil No-Contact Order (740 ILCS 22) or Stalking No-Contact Order (740 ILCS 21/1-135)
  • Sexual Offenses
    • Soliciting a Prostitute or Patronizing a Prostitute (720 ILCS 5/11-18)
    • Public Indecency (720 ILCS 5/11-30) if convicted of a felony (misdemeanor convictions are eligible)
    • Any other misdemeanor offense listed under Article 11 of the Criminal Code (with the exception of Prostitution) (720 ILCS 5/11)
    • Any offense that requires registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act
  • Animal Offenses
    • Dog Fighting (720 ILCS 5/48-1)
    • Class A misdemeanors under the Humane Care for Animals Act, such as beating or tormenting an animal, or abandonment (510 ILCS 70/01; 510 ILCS    70/4.03;     510     ILCS     70/5; 510    ILCS    70/5.01;     510     ILCS     70/6; 510 ILCS 70/7.15)
  • New felony convictions after you already had felony convictions sealed. NOTE: a new felony conviction after your sealing may result in the unsealing of your past felony (20 ILCS 2630/5.2(c)(4))