IL HB5024

Amends the Criminal Identification Act to add a new process allowing persons convicted of Class 3 or Class 4 felonies to petition the Prisoner Review Board for a certificate of eligibility for sealing of criminal records after meeting specified waiting periods and conditions.

Establishes eligibility requirements for record sealing certificates, including completion of sentence, five-year waiting period since last arrest, drug abuse program completion for drug-related offenses, and exclusions for sex offenses, violent crimes, and other specified offenses.

Allows individuals with a certificate of eligibility for sealing to petition the court to seal records of arrests and convictions, with sealed records available only to law enforcement, courts, and prosecutors for specified purposes and subject to Illinois Human Rights Act provisions.

Modifies procedures for expungement and sealing of criminal records to include the new certificate of eligibility pathway and requires attachment of such certificates to petitions filed under the sealing process.

Requires the Department of State Police to maintain and release sealed records only as authorized by law, with Department of Corrections retaining access to sealed records for sentencing and subsequent offense purposes.