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Gordon-Booth: Automatic Cannabis Expungements Will Help Many, But Not All

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth
Dana Vollmer / WCBU
State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth

When recreational cannabis becomes legal next year, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to have their criminal records wiped clean without lifting a finger.

Automatic expungement is designed to help the majority of those charged with cannabis-related misdemeanors. 

State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said that covers about 770,000 people. But it won’t be that easy for everyone.

“There are still hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people that will not be able to get their records expunged automatically, but they will still qualify," she said. 

Automatic expungement is only available for marijuana possession under 30 grams. 

Those convicted of offenses with a larger amount, or who were also charged with an accompanying crime, must file a petition with the circuit clerk.

Law enforcement officials expect the process will take years. The first batch of expungements, dating back to 2013, aren’t expected to be done until 2021. Earlier cases will take longer.

Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU.

Dana Vollmer is a reporter with WGLT. Dana previously covered the state Capitol for NPR Illinois and Peoria for WCBU.