Certificates of Eligibility for Expungement of Class 3 and Class 4 Felony Convictions for Servicemen

Effective August, 2013, Illinois permits individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces or National Guard to apply for Certificate of Eligibility for Expungement of Class 3 and Class 4 Felony Convictions. Petitioners must have served and received an honorable discharge or at the time of the filing of the petition be enlisted and have served one tour of duty.

The approval for the Certificate requires unanimous vote of a panel of at least 3 members. Records not eligible for the Certificate include: (1) sex offenses, (2) offenses involving a firearm, and (3) crimes of violence. Individuals whose petitions are denied must wait four years before re-applying for the Certificate of Eligibility for Expungement or filing for a pardon with authorization for expungement from the Governor.