Cook County Expungement & Sealing Attorneys
Last updated: May 2026
Cook County — which includes Chicago and most of its surrounding suburbs — handles the largest volume of expungement and sealing petitions in Illinois. The Circuit Court of Cook County operates a dedicated Expungement Help Desk inside the Richard J. Daley Center (50 W Washington St, Chicago) where staff and volunteer attorneys provide free review of petitions before filing. Multiple Cook County legal-aid organizations also run regular expungement clinics.
Filing in Cook County
Petitions to expunge or seal under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 are filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Criminal Division (for felonies) or in the appropriate Municipal District (for misdemeanors). The court accepts the standardized statewide form. Filing fees, the ISP processing fee, and fee-waiver options are the same as in other Illinois counties.
The Expungement Help Desk
The Cook County Expungement Help Desk operates inside the Daley Center and provides free assistance with form completion, record review, and basic eligibility screening. It is not a substitute for an attorney for complex cases but is an excellent resource for straightforward single-case filings. Hours and current scheduling are posted on the Circuit Court of Cook County website.
When you should hire a Cook County attorney
Hire an attorney if your case involves: multiple cases across counties, felony sealing of more serious offenses, prosecutor objection, immigration-status concerns, or a record-correction issue (e.g., the Illinois State Police database still shows a case the court ordered expunged). ExpungeReady lists licensed Cook County attorneys for informational purposes only; we do not endorse any attorney and do not collect referral fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cook County Help Desk a substitute for a lawyer?
For a single, clearly eligible case, the Help Desk is often sufficient. For multi-case filings, felony sealing, or any case with prosecutor objection, hiring an experienced Cook County expungement attorney is recommended.
Can I file in Cook County if my case was in another Illinois county?
No. Petitions must be filed in the Circuit Court of the county where the case was originally prosecuted. If you have cases in multiple counties, you typically file a separate petition in each one.
How long does a Cook County expungement take?
Most uncontested Cook County petitions are decided within 4 to 6 months of filing. Contested petitions or those requiring a hearing can take longer.
Find an expungement attorney in Illinois
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