Years in the Making, One Vote Away: Clean Slate Illinois Inches Closer to Victory

At the end of May, Illinois lawmakers came incredibly close to passing a historic Clean Slate bill — one that would have automated the record-sealing process for more than a million people in the state. While the bill didn’t quite make it across the finish line before the spring session adjourned, it didn’t fail. In fact, it now stands just one vote away from heading to the Governor’s desk.

The path to this point has been anything but easy. But it has been powerful — and fueled by a coalition of Black-led, grassroots organizers who are directly impacted by arrest and conviction records.

Building Power From the Ground Up

This moment didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s the result of years of organizing, power-building, and advocacy led by Live Free Illinois, the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments, the Workers Center for Racial Justice, Impact for Equity, Code for America, and others. 

The Clean Slate Illinois Coalition has poured their time, energy, and strategic expertise into building the infrastructure and collective power necessary to move Clean Slate to the brink of passage, even garnering the support of high profile Chicagoans like Common and Korporate.

Their leadership was on full display in the final days of session. With time running out, Clean Slate Illinois partners worked late into the night, rallying community members, coordinating with each other, lawmakers, media, and national partners. It’s that kind of people-powered pressure that got the bill over the line in the House — and it’s the kind of movement that will carry it over the final hurdle in the Senate, too.

SB 1784 Stands Just One Vote from Heading to the Governor’s Desk

The Illinois Clean Slate Act (SB 1784), was tirelessly championed by Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth in the House and led in the Senate by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. If passed, it would automate the sealing of eligible arrest and conviction records, replacing a burdensome, costly, and ineffective petition-based system that has left millions of eligible Illinoisans locked out of opportunity.

Today, fewer than 6,000 people each year are able to navigate the current record sealing process, even though an estimated 2.2 million adults in Illinois are living with an arrest or conviction record. Clean Slate would ensure that over 75% of them — roughly 1.69 million people — no longer face those barriers.

The Fight Isn’t Over

SB 1784 is delayed, not denied. It’s still active and eligible to move — either during upcoming special sessions or when the legislature reconvenes in 2026. It needs just one final vote in the Senate to land on the governor’s desk. And that’s exactly where the focus now turns.

We’re deeply grateful to Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth for her leadership in the House, and to Sen. Elgie Sims for carrying the torch in the Senate. Their support — alongside the unrelenting drive of Clean Slate Illinois advocates — is why this bill still has a path forward.

A Moment of Momentum

Clean Slate in Illinois is more than a bill. It’s a testament to the power of organized communities, the impact of directly impacted leadership, and the vision of a future where a record doesn’t mean a life sentence of exclusion.

We’re one step away from getting this bill to the Governor’s desk. If passed, this would make Illinois the 13th state - plus Washington D.C. - to adopt Clean Slate legislation. And we’re not letting up.

Momentum is building, and we need every ounce of support to get this across the line. That means rallying our communities, engaging lawmakers, and reminding everyone what’s at stake: real people and real futures.

To stay updated or get involved, visit cleanslateillinois.org.