Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is under fire for signing a new law that seals some criminal records.
The controversial law, called The Clean Slate Act, will “require law enforcement agencies and circuit clerks to begin systematically sealing eligible criminal records by 2029,” according to ABC7. This streamlines the process under existing law, which has allowed qualifying non-violent offenders to apply to seal their records.
“Of the 2.2 million Illinois adults with a past arrest or conviction, advocates estimate that 1.74 million, or 79%, could have their records partially or fully sealed because of the legislation,” the outlet reported.
TODAY: Illinois Democrat Governor JB Pritzker signed into law The Clean Slate Act
Law enforcement agencies are now required to automatically seal eligible criminal records every six months
Criminals are now free to steal and commit crimes, and their convictions will be sealed… pic.twitter.com/BHnnd2VnTi
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 17, 2026
This law only applies to some non-violent charges, while other convictions such as” sexual violence against minors, DUIs, reckless driving, cruelty to animals” and otherserious violent crimes remain ineligible.
This was a personal mission for Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, who was a chief sponsor of the bill.
“I was given the chance to move beyond my mistake and to manifest my potential in service of my community, and I want the millions of other people in this state to have the same exact opportunity,” she said. “This law is not about charity. It’s not about forgiveness. This is about justice. This is about redemption.”
X users have a lot to say about the act:
how is this making their state any safer?
— edson ayllon (@edsonayllon) January 17, 2026
— Lauren3ve (@Lauren3veMemes) January 17, 2026
Democrats and people democrats love are above the law it seems.
— Just your average MAGA patriot (@ScottBornAgain) January 17, 2026
Hahahahaha what a bunch of fucking tools…
Let’s erase their past so people aren’t aware of who they are surrounded by.
Sounds smart
— Dogemau5 (@BigFootMau5) January 17, 2026
Habitual traffic offenders should apply to be the driver of the governor and mayor.
— Noah Lillehammer (@NLillehammer) January 17, 2026
Is this even possible? It seems like a showboating act. A judge could be convinced into this on every case
— Mark Okroy
(@Mwokroy) January 17, 2026
There is a couple people this will help, the other people will just torment the innocent.
— TexasTraderOne (@TexasTraderOne) January 17, 2026
Gotta get those criminals back into circulation. They need them to destabilize society.
— MeatsGood (@good_meats) January 17, 2026
3 years post sentence and 6 months is a good idea.
Repeat offenders will likely slip up during that time.
This helps the good ones looking for better employment.
— Michael Smith (@mikesmithshow) January 17, 2026
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