Sean Morrison, Cook County Commissioner (17th District), said Illinois’ Clean Slate Act wrongly prioritizes offenders by automatically sealing records and restricting public vetting following Gov. JB Pritzker’s January 16, 2026 signing of the bill.
“JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats passed laws allowing millions of criminal convictions to be sealed,” said Sean M. Morrison, Commissioner, 17th District. “This isn’t “reform” it’s protecting criminals over citizens. The result? Employers can’t fully vet who they hire, Landlords can’t properly screen renters, Businesses can’t assess real risk, Citizens lose basic transparency and protection from scammers. Public safety depends on truth and accountability, not hiding criminal histories to satisfy ideological talking points.”
According to ABC7, the Clean Slate Act will automatically seal eligible nonviolent criminal records over several years. While these sealed records will not appear in most public background checks, law enforcement agencies will still have access to them. However, serious offenses such as sex crimes against minors or DUIs are excluded from eligibility. Proponents of the law argue that it facilitates rehabilitation by allowing individuals to move beyond past convictions. Critics, however, express concerns about reduced transparency for employers and the public.
MyJournalCourier reports estimate that more than 1.7 million Illinois adults will qualify for automatic sealing under this act, with implementation expected to continue through 2034. The responsibility of identifying and sealing eligible records falls on state police and circuit clerks. Opponents highlight potential costs—estimated at around $18 million excluding Cook County—and raise concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers and local agencies.
The Clean Slate Illinois website indicates that the state already restricts how sealed records can be used in employment and housing decisions under the Illinois Human Rights Act. This legislation prohibits discrimination based on expunged, sealed, or arrest records, meaning many reports will not include sealed convictions. Critics suggest this could complicate thorough vetting processes for sensitive jobs or housing applications, potentially leading to preventable risks.
Morrison has served as Cook County Commissioner since 2015 and is currently the board’s sole Republican member in recent cycles. Known for his emphasis on public safety and fiscal restraint, he previously sponsored the repeal of the Cook County soda tax in 2017. His tenure informs his criticism of broad record-sealing policies like those outlined in the Clean Slate Act.
