A background check revealing a criminal record can result in missed job opportunities, loss of a current position or promotion, tainted credit, and even denial of a regulatory license or college admission. This handbook covers the range of remedies available for a client with a record, including expungement, sealing, clemency, certificates of good conduct, certificates of relief from disabilities, findings of factual innocence, and waivers. It also includes chapters on juvenile expungement; criminal identity theft; employment, housing, and other related critical support; and how Illinois empowers rehabilitated people with criminal records.
Chapter 1 — Expungement and Sealing: A Lawyer’s Guide
Beth A. Johnson,Rights and Restoration Law Group, LLC, Chicago
Chapter 2 — Juvenile Expungement
Sue L. Pak,Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Chicago
Chapter 3 — Expungement and Sealing in Cook County
Marjie M. Nielsen, Next Step Legal Services, Chicago
Chapter 4 — Criminal Identity Theft
Matthew R. Leisten,Ogle County State’s Attorney’s Office, Oregon
Chapter 5 — Employment, Housing, and Other Related Critical Support
Sami Z. Azhari,Azhari LLC, Chicago, and Sergio A. Lopez, Castle Law, Joliet
Chapter 6 — Pardon and Expungement
Kenneth D. Tupy, Illinois Prisoner Review Board, Springfield
Chapter 7 — Blueprint for Progress: How Illinois Empowers Rehabilitated People Who Have Criminal Records
Sami Z. Azhari,Azhari LLC, Chicago, and Sergio A. Lopez, Castle Law, Joliet
