A majority of Illinois voters surveyed in a recent poll back record sealing for nonviolent offenders. Here’s how policymakers should make this happen.

Eliminating barriers to opportunity would benefit both ex-offenders and the state of Illinois.

In a July 11 resolution, Chicago City Council’s Committee on Public Safety urged the General Assembly to pass “meaningful sealing reform” to help ex-offenders re-enter the job market and their communities more successfully.

If signed, HB 6328 will remove expungement fees in Cook County for those who were arrested but never convicted.

An effective record-sealing policy can help nonviolent offenders find employment and stay away from crime.

Letting nonviolent former offenders petition to have their records sealed and protecting businesses from negligent-hiring lawsuits would do more to encourage hiring ex-offenders than “ban the box” alone.

Nearly 70,000 Illinois children have incarcerated parents who will need to be able to support their families after serving their sentences.

Police chiefs and prosecutors increasingly support policies to reduce unnecessary incarceration.

A person’s ability to find work is one of the most important factors determining whether he or she stays out of the criminal-justice system.