With an estimated 1 in 3 Americans having at least an arrest in their background, the result is that nearly 4.6 million people in Illinois have a criminal record. Coupled with the fact that there are over 1,400 collateral consequences to arrest and conviction, a person’s past poses barriers to employment, housing, licensure and educational opportunities, limiting a person’s ability to provide for themselves and their families.
The Second Chance Summit in December was an opportunity for individuals to receive free legal consultations on their options for criminal records relief and receive petitions to expunge or seal prepared when eligible.
At the summit, 17 volunteer attorneys and paralegals met with 77 clients. Leading up to the event, approximately 40 attorneys were trained in the area of Expungement and Sealing at three CLEs organized by the group.
This event was co-sponsored by PILI’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, CGLA, YWCA McClean County and the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.
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