Expunge DUI in Chicago
A DUI Conviction Doesn’t Have to Define Your Future
A DUI on your record can make life difficult—affecting employment, housing, and even your reputation. But it doesn’t have to define your future.
Our experienced attorneys handle DUI expungement and record sealing cases throughout Illinois and can help you explore your options to clear your record, restore your rights, and move forward with confidence.
Cases Won
People Helped
Can You Get a DUI Removed from Your Record?
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Illinois, you may still have options to clear your record—or limit who can see it. Every case is different, and the laws can be complex, which is why getting personalized legal guidance is essential.
Our team can review your situation, explain whether expungement or record sealing may be available, and help you take the right steps toward a clean slate. Schedule a free, confidential consultation today to discuss your options and start moving forward with peace of mind.
Can a DUI Be Expunged in Illinois?
In Illinois, expunging a DUI from your record is extremely limited—but not impossible. The process depends on the circumstances of your case, your criminal history, and whether your charge resulted in a conviction. Because Illinois law surrounding expungement and record sealing is complex, it’s often best to work with an experienced attorney who focuses on these cases.
While most DUI convictions cannot be expunged under Illinois law, some cases—such as those dismissed or reduced—may qualify. The good news is that even if full expungement isn’t an option, record sealing may still be available. Sealing your record can keep your DUI charge out of public view, offering many of the same privacy and employment protections as an expungement.
Sealing vs Expunging DUI’s
The main difference between expungement and record sealing lies in how your criminal record is handled and who can access it:
Expungement completely erases the record as if it never happened. Once a record is expunged, it’s destroyed or removed from public and most government databases. It won’t show up on background checks.
Record sealing hides the record from the public but does not erase it. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access it, but it won’t appear in standard background checks for jobs, housing, or most other purposes.
In short:
Expungement = erased.
Sealing = hidden.
Both help you move forward, but expungement offers a cleaner slate.
Can a DUI Be Expunged in Illinois?
In Illinois, expunging a DUI from your record is extremely limited—but not impossible. The process depends on the circumstances of your case, your criminal history, and whether your charge resulted in a conviction. Because Illinois law surrounding expungement and record sealing is complex, it’s often best to work with an experienced attorney who focuses on these cases.
While most DUI convictions cannot be expunged under Illinois law, some cases—such as those dismissed or reduced—may qualify. The good news is that even if full expungement isn’t an option, record sealing may still be available. Sealing your record can keep your DUI charge out of public view, offering many of the same privacy and employment protections as an expungement.
Sealing vs Expunging DUI’s
The main difference between expungement and record sealing lies in how your criminal record is handled and who can access it:
Expungement completely erases the record as if it never happened. Once a record is expunged, it’s destroyed or removed from public and most government databases. It won’t show up on background checks.
Record sealing hides the record from the public but does not erase it. Law enforcement and certain government agencies can still access it, but it won’t appear in standard background checks for jobs, housing, or most other purposes.
In short:
Expungement = erased.
Sealing = hidden.
Both help you move forward, but expungement offers a cleaner slate.
How to
Expunge or Seal a DUI Record in Illinois
If you’re ready to put your DUI behind you and get a fresh start, the process of expunging or sealing your record in Illinois involves several important steps. It can feel complicated at first, but understanding the process—and having an experienced attorney by your side—can make it much smoother and more effective.
Generally, the expungement or sealing process in Illinois takes about 4 to 6 months from the time your petition is filed until your record is cleared or hidden from public view. However, the exact timeline can vary depending on the county’s caseload, whether any objections are raised, and the complexity of your case. Starting early helps ensure you achieve your clean slate as quickly as possible.
If you’re exploring DUI expungement or record sealing, we offer a 100% Free Consultation to help you understand your options. Our attorneys can review your case, determine your eligibility, and guide you step-by-step toward restoring your record and your peace of mind.
How to
Expunge or Seal a DUI Record in Illinois
If you’re ready to put your DUI behind you and get a fresh start, the process of expunging or sealing your record in Illinois involves several important steps. It can feel complicated at first, but understanding the process—and having an experienced attorney by your side—can make it much smoother and more effective.
Generally, the expungement or sealing process in Illinois takes about 4 to 6 months from the time your petition is filed until your record is cleared or hidden from public view. However, the exact timeline can vary depending on the county’s caseload, whether any objections are raised, and the complexity of your case. Starting early helps ensure you achieve your clean slate as quickly as possible.
If you’re exploring DUI expungement or record sealing, we offer a 100% Free Consultation to help you understand your options. Our attorneys can review your case, determine your eligibility, and guide you step-by-step toward restoring your record and your peace of mind.
01.
File the Petition: Begin by filing a petition for expungement or record sealing with the appropriate Illinois circuit court. This legal document formally requests that your DUI record be cleared or hidden from public access.
02.
Agency Review Period: After your petition is filed, the State’s Attorney’s Office and other relevant law enforcement or government agencies have 60 days to review your request. During this time, they can either approve or file an objection to your petition.
03.
Court Review and Decision: If no objections are raised, the court may approve your petition without requiring a hearing. However, if objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled where your attorney can present evidence and arguments on your behalf. This may extend the overall timeline.
04.
Record Clearance or Sealing: Once the judge grants your expungement or sealing, agencies such as the Illinois State Police and the arresting law enforcement department have 60 days to implement the court’s order. After that, your DUI record will be cleared or sealed from public view.
01.
File the Petition: Begin by filing a petition for expungement or record sealing with the appropriate Illinois circuit court. This legal document formally requests that your DUI record be cleared or hidden from public access.
02.
Agency Review Period: After your petition is filed, the State’s Attorney’s Office and other relevant law enforcement or government agencies have 60 days to review your request. During this time, they can either approve or file an objection to your petition.
03.
Court Review and Decision: If no objections are raised, the court may approve your petition without requiring a hearing. However, if objections are filed, a hearing will be scheduled where your attorney can present evidence and arguments on your behalf. This may extend the overall timeline.
04.
Record Clearance or Sealing: Once the judge grants your expungement or sealing, agencies such as the Illinois State Police and the arresting law enforcement department have 60 days to implement the court’s order. After that, your DUI record will be cleared or sealed from public view.
DUI Expungement & Sealing FAQs
Clearing a DUI from your record can feel confusing—especially with Illinois’ strict laws and complex filing process. Our goal is to make it simple to understand your rights and options. Below are some of the most common questions clients ask about DUI expungement and record sealing in Illinois, and how our experienced attorneys can help you move forward with confidence.
Yes. You can apply for jobs while your expungement or sealing petition is under review. However, until the court officially grants your petition, your DUI record will still appear on background checks. Once the record is sealed or expunged, most employers—and the general public—will no longer have access to it, giving you a clean slate for future opportunities.
In Illinois, a DUI arrest typically triggers an immediate driver’s license suspension—even before your court case is resolved. This is called a Statutory Summary Suspension and occurs if you either fail a chemical test (registering a BAC of 0.08 or higher) or refuse to take one.
For a first offense, your license is usually suspended for six months if you fail the test, or 12 months if you refuse. You may be eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP), which allows limited driving privileges with a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) installed in your vehicle.
If you’re convicted of DUI, your license may be revoked, meaning you’ll need to complete a formal reinstatement process with the Illinois Secretary of State. An experienced DUI attorney can guide you through hearings, paperwork, and requirements to help restore your driving privileges as quickly as possible.
In Illinois, the terms DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) are often used interchangeably, but under state law, DUI is the official legal term. A DUI in Illinois covers driving or being in physical control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating substance, including prescription medication.
Some states distinguish between DUI and DWI based on blood alcohol content (BAC) or the type of substance involved, but Illinois does not make this distinction—all impaired driving offenses fall under DUI laws. Whether your charge was labeled DUI or DWI, the consequences are the same, and both can impact your driving privileges, employment, and criminal record.
What to Do If You’re Stopped by Police | Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tips
Police asks DUI suspect to move his car! #AskALawyer #LawyerExplains #Legal
Effects of an old 🍃💨 charge. But there’s a fix #lawyerexplains #lawyerhelp #askalawyer #smoke
Did you know a DUI doesnt have to ruin your life? #expungement #criminaldefense #legal #rights #dui
No breathalyzer = winning my DUI case, right? #lawyerexplains #askalawyer #dui #lawyer #crime #TiL
Can you EXPUNGE your DUI conviction?? #LawyerExplains
Blood Test vs Breathalyzer #LawyerExplains
Blood Test vs Breathalyzer - LAWYER EXPLAINS
Help getting a DUI off your record
Illinois Second Chance Probation – How Can It Help You?
At Xpunge Chicago, we understand that mistakes from the past can cast long shadows over your future. If you or someone you know is struggling with a criminal record, it’s essential to explore every [...]
Can You Expunge DUIs in the State of Illinois?
Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Illinois, and you cannot expunge or seal it from your criminal record. However, you can expunge or seal many other types of convictions. Understanding the rules [...]
Can You Expunge a Drunk Driving Conviction in Illinois?
Dealing with a DUI arrest in Illinois can be stressful, especially if you're worried about its long-term impact. Understanding your options for expungement is crucial if you were arrested but not convicted. Can You Expunge [...]
Can You Seal a DUI Arrest in Chicago?
If you're like many people, you know that in the state of Illinois, it's sometimes possible to expunge or seal a criminal record. But what about a DUI arrest? Is it possible to clear that [...]
Can You Expunge Reckless Driving if You Were Over 25 at the Time of the Offense?
It’s common knowledge that young people make mistakes – especially behind the wheel. If you were one of those people and were charged with reckless driving, you may be able to expunge it from your [...]
Will a Drunk Driving Conviction Show Up On a Background Check?
If you’ve ever been convicted of drunk driving – or, for that matter, if you’ve ever been arrested for drunk driving (even if you weren’t convicted) – it’ll show up on your criminal record. That [...]
Help getting a DUI off your record
Illinois Second Chance Probation – How Can It Help You?
At Xpunge Chicago, we understand that mistakes from the past can cast long shadows over your future. If you or someone you know is struggling with a criminal record, it’s essential to explore every [...]
Can You Expunge DUIs in the State of Illinois?
Driving under the influence is a serious offense in Illinois, and you cannot expunge or seal it from your criminal record. However, you can expunge or seal many other types of convictions. Understanding the rules [...]
Can You Expunge a Drunk Driving Conviction in Illinois?
Dealing with a DUI arrest in Illinois can be stressful, especially if you're worried about its long-term impact. Understanding your options for expungement is crucial if you were arrested but not convicted. Can You Expunge [...]
DUI vs. DWI vs. OWI: What’s the Difference? | Xpunge Chicago (19-Second Legal Tip)
Matthew Fakhoury July 28, 2025 3:00 pm