Free Expungement Help in Illinois
Last reviewed: May 27, 2026 · Resource links checked: May 28, 2026
Illinois passed the Clean Slate Act in 2025, making it the 13th state with automatic record sealing. If you have an eligible non-violent misdemeanor, you may not need to do anything — the state will seal it automatically after the waiting period. That said, the automatic program doesn't cover everything. Cannabis convictions that weren't caught in the automatic sweep, and most felonies, still need a petition. New Leaf Illinois / CARPLS is the state-funded organization specifically set up to handle Cook County record clearing — start there if you're in or near Chicago.
Quick answer: free expungement help in Illinois
In Illinois, free expungement help may be available through nonprofit legal aid, local clinics, court fee waivers, and Clean Slate automatic sealing programs. Start with the verified organizations below, then confirm whether your court costs or filing fees can be waived.
✅ Clean Slate / Automatic Sealing
Yes — Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (2019) requires automatic expungement of qualifying cannabis convictions. Illinois Clean Slate Act signed 2025 (HB 4654) adds automatic sealing for eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period.
How to get a fee waiver in Illinois
File Application for Waiver of Court Fees with your petition. Cook County also runs free expungement summits where filing fees are waived entirely for all attendees.
Fee waivers (also called Affidavit of Indigency or In Forma Pauperis petition) are typically available if your household income is at or below 125–200% of the federal poverty level, or if you currently receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, or veterans benefits based on need.
Who should start with free legal aid?
Start here if money is the barrier
Legal aid is usually the best first step if filing fees, attorney fees, or document costs would stop you from pursuing expungement or sealing. Most programs screen by income, household size, case type, and county.
Use clinics for screening
Expungement clinics are especially useful when you are not sure whether the record qualifies. Bring your case number and disposition so a clinic can tell you whether to file, wait, or use another remedy.
Use fee waivers for court costs
A fee waiver does not guarantee expungement, but it can remove the court filing cost. Ask the clerk or legal aid intake whether your state uses an indigency affidavit, in forma pauperis form, or fee waiver.
Use an attorney for complex records
If you have multiple counties, felonies, pending charges, immigration concerns, licensing issues, or a denied petition, ask legal aid whether you need full representation instead of brief advice.
Documents to gather before calling legal aid
- Government ID and current contact information.
- Case number, arrest date, charge, county, and court name.
- Certified disposition or docket sheet showing how the case ended.
- Proof that probation, parole, fines, fees, or restitution are complete, if applicable.
- Recent proof of income or public benefits if the organization screens by income.
- A short explanation of why you need the record cleared: work, housing, licensing, school, immigration, or family stability.
Verified free legal aid organizations in Illinois
Every organization below is a nonprofit, government-affiliated, law-school, court, or bar-backed resource. Resource links were browser-checked on May 28, 2026, but clinic schedules and eligibility rules change. Always confirm details directly with the organization before relying on a date, income limit, or service area.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Cabrini Green Legal Aid (Chicago)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- New Leaf Illinois / CARPLS (Cook County)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Prairie State Legal Services (suburbs & downstate)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
- Land of Lincoln Legal Aid (downstate IL)
Official resource. Check intake rules, county coverage, and current clinic availability before applying.
Free expungement help by city in Illinois
Free expungement resources vary significantly by metro area. Here's what's available in the largest cities, including local legal aid offices, clinics, bar-backed programs, and reentry resources.
Chicago / Cook County
- Legal Aid Chicago
- New Leaf Illinois / CARPLS
- Cabrini Green Legal Aid
- Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Cook County has the most expungement infrastructure of any county in Illinois. The State's Attorney's Help Desk operates at the Daley Center and can answer eligibility questions without an attorney. New Leaf Illinois (run by CARPLS) is a state-funded program specifically covering Cook County record clearing — this should be your first call if you live in Chicago or the suburbs. Cook County also runs three to four free expungement summits per year where fees are waived and attorneys process petitions on-site.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Springfield / Central Illinois
Land of Lincoln covers the central and southern parts of the state including Sangamon, McLean, and surrounding counties. If you can't come in person, Illinois Legal Aid Online has a free guided expungement tool that generates the court forms.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Rockford / Northern Illinois (outside Cook)
Prairie State covers the northern Illinois collar counties (excluding Cook): Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago. They handle expungement and sealing cases and run periodic free clinics in Rockford and Waukegan.
Verify clinic dates and eligibility directly with the listed organization. ExpungeReady does not operate these programs.
Illinois free expungement — frequently asked questions
Does Illinois Clean Slate 2025 automatically clear my record?
The 2025 Clean Slate Act (HB 4654) creates automatic sealing for eligible non-violent misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period. The program is phasing in — not all records are sealed immediately. Cannabis convictions under the 2019 CRTA have been automatically expunged in separate batches. If you're unsure whether your record has been addressed, run a free background check through Illinois State Police or call New Leaf Illinois / CARPLS.
What is the Cook County Expungement Help Desk?
It's a walk-in assistance center operated by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office at the Daley Center in Chicago. Staff can review your record, tell you what's eligible, help you complete the petition, and in some cases waive the filing fee. No attorney is required to visit — it is open to any Cook County resident.
Can I expunge a felony in Illinois?
Some Class 4 felonies are eligible for expungement after a waiting period under the 2019 reforms. First-time drug offenses are often eligible. More serious felonies are generally eligible for sealing but not expungement. An attorney at Cabrini Green Legal Aid or CVLS can review whether your specific felony qualifies.
What if you do not qualify for free help?
If legal aid cannot take your case, you may still have options: file on your own, request a fee waiver, wait for automatic Clean Slate sealing, or consult a licensed attorney for a paid eligibility review. ExpungeReady currently has Illinois attorney listings you can compare.