Kevin Hempy, from Prairie States Legal Services, says the clinic is for Illinois residents. And national surveys show as many as one-third of adults have an arrest or conviction of some kind in their past.
"When folks do end up with a criminal record, that creates a lot of obstacles once they've put that phase of their life behind them and are trying to move forward, whether it's trying to get a job or get into an apartment, those records can really be challenging to navigate."
He says attorneys will help participants with "expungement," which means erasing any past arrests, and "sealing" which is hiding convictions from public view. But not all offenses can be "sealed."
The clinic will be held Monday from 2 to 7 pm at the Moline Library. Pre-registration is necessary, but Hempy says there might be room for some walk-ins.
The clinic is sponsored by Prairie State Legal Services, Project Now, and the 14th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee.