NBC 5 Chicago reports
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is set to automatically expunge an additional 214 cannabis cases on Friday, which brings the total number of cases to 15,191.
Over the past three years, relieved convictions have been fully removed from records as if they never happened, according to the SAO. After removal, the Clerk of the Circuit Court sent notice to the person.
The expungement has been automatic, requiring no action from people with eligible convictions, officials said.
“Felony charges can affect every aspect of a person’s life, from jobs to housing, long after the debt to society has been paid,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. “I am proud that by working with advocates, Code for America, the Chief Judge’s Office, the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and the Illinois State Police we were able to bring relief for so many individuals so that they, their families, and their communities can move forward.”
The Cannabis Expungement Project is coming to an end following the legalization of cannabis in Illinois, the SAO noted.
“This is so much more than conviction relief for thousands of individuals. This is about rebuilding trust in the criminal justice system,” Foxx said.
According to the SAO, 588 cases dating back to 1965 remain in the system, but these have “insufficient data to expunge and require additional research.”
