May 29, 2014

Joint Statement on the General Assembly’s Passage of Juvenile Expungement Legislation

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

“Today, the General Assembly took an important step toward ensuring more of our youth can start adulthood with a clean slate. Together, with advocates, community members, parents and legislators we passed legislation that requires state police to automatically expunge certain juvenile arrest records – no longer making a fresh start the exception, but rather the rule. In the past, young people could apply to expunge those records, but the process was so expensive and complex, only a small number of people were able to do it. Now we’re putting young people on an even playing field so they have an equal shot at accessing education, financial aid, housing, and employment.”

- State Senator Kwame Raoul, State Representative Arthur Turner, Mayor Rahm Emanuel

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