On Friday, outgoing Illinois governor Bruce Rauner released his final batch of executive clemency decisions. Included in the group were 31 pardons, four commutations of sentence, and 268 denials. The pardons come with the authorization to expunge the cases from the criminal records of the receipients.

With the 303 decisions, Rauner cleared out all of the remaining pending petitions from the docket. So, incoming governor J.B. Pritzker will start from a fresh slate.

Congratulations to all those that have received their well-earned clemency!

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has stated that he plans to clear out any backlog of clemency petitions remaining before leaving office. Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker is inaugurated on January 14, 2019. So, if you have a clemency petition before the Governor now, you can expect to hear something in the coming weeks. Good luck!

Today, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner released a batch of 93 executive clemency decisions ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Of the 93 decisions, 8 were granted pardons and 85 were denied. The petitions that were granted were for crimes of burglary, theft, drug possession, and delivery of a controlled substance.

Congratulations to those receiving pardons! Don't forget that in order to expunge your record you will still have to go back to court to petition that the records be expunged.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board announced that Governor Bruce Rauner released a new batch of executive clemency decisions, granting five and denying 59. Of the petitions which were granted pardons, the convictions ranged from 1977 to 2007, and included drug offenses, theft, and burglary.

Congratulations to those receiving their much-earned pardons! For those denied, keep in mind that recent changes to Illinois law may now allow for your criminal record to be sealed instead.

Today, Illinois Governor released a batch of 20 executive clemency decisions ahead of the President's Day weekend. Of the 20 decisions, six were granted and fourteen were denied. The convictions which received pardons included retail theft, burglary, battery and forgery.

Congratulations to those receiving pardons! You will now be eligible to petition the Court to have the criminal records expunged.

Today, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's Office announced the release of 88 executive clemency decisions in advance of the Christmas weekend. Of the 88 decisions, 10 were granted and 78 denied. Some of the offenses that received pardons include retail theft, burglary, and drug possession.

Two of my clients were among the ten receiving pardons. Congratulations to the other eight receiving clemency as well! For those still pending or denied, your case is likely eligible for sealing which is a still a great option for most. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Today, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner released 102 decisions on executive clemency petitions prior to the Thanksgiving Day vacation. Of the 102, five were granted pardons and 97 petitions were denied. The offenses that were pardoned included burglary, theft, and drug charges. Those granted pardons will now be eligible to have their cases expunged.

Congratulations to those receiving their much-earned pardons! For those denied, keep in mind that recent changes to Illinois law may now allow for your cases to be sealed instead.

In advance of the Labor Day weekend, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner today released a batch of 94 executive clemency decisions, granting seven and denying 87. According to the Prisoner Review Board, the convictions that were granted pardons were for drugs, burglary, forgery, domestic battery and retail theft.

Congrats to those receiving clemency! For those denied or still pending, take note that your case(s) may be eligible for sealing under the new law in Illinois.

Governor Rauner signed a bill today that expands the number of cases eligible for sealing in Illinois. Previously, most misdemeanors and only a select few felonies were eligible for sealing. If you were convicted of a low-level felony that wasn't specifically eligible, then you likely could petition the Prisoner Review Board to gain sealing eligibility. For anyone not eligible for this relief, the only option was to seek clemency from the Governor.

But now with the change in the law, most felony convictions become eligible for sealing without the need for special approval. The new law takes effect immediately. If you have a case the was previously only eligible for a pardon, contact my office to see if the new law applies to you.

Today, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner released a batch of executive clemency decisions to kick off the weekend prior to the Fourth of July. Of the 114 clemency actions, 10 were granted and 104 were denied. The petitions granted included pardons for theft, burglary, drug crimes, forgery and misdemeanor assault.

Congratulations for those receiving their well-earned pardons! Now you will be able to move forward with your rights intact and you can petition the court to have the criminal records expunged. For those denied or still pending, don't give up hope because your time may still come!