Chicago, IL: The office of the Cook County (population: 1.5 million) State’s Attorney is moving to automatically review and expunge the criminal records of hundreds of citizens with marijuana possession convictions.
In recent weeks, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has vacated the criminal records of over 1,000 minor marijuana offenders. Foxx said: “As we work to reform the criminal justice system and develop remedies to systemic barriers, I am proud that justice continues to be served in Cook County, for one, by vacating these low-level cannabis convictions to help move individuals and communities forward.”
Those eligible for relief do not have to take any action to initiate the expungement process. They will receive a notice from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County when their record has been expunged.
Under a 2019 state law, those with past convictions for offenses involving the possession of up to 500 grams of cannabis are eligible to have their records expunged.
Additional information on statewide expungement laws is available from NORML.