(225 ILCS 655/7.1)

Sec. 7.1. Applicant convictions.

(a) The Department shall not require applicants to report the following information and shall not consider the following criminal history records in connection with an application for a certificate of registration or license under this Act:

(1) Juvenile adjudications of delinquent minors as defined in Section 5-105 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 5-130 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(2) Law enforcement records, court records, and conviction records of an individual who was 17 years old at the time of the offense and before January 1, 2014, unless the nature of the offense required the individual to be tried as an adult.

(3) Records of arrest not followed by a conviction.

(4) Convictions overturned by a higher court.

(5) Convictions or arrests that have been sealed or expunged.

(b) The Department, upon a finding that an applicant for a license or certificate of registration was previously convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor directly related to the practice of the profession, shall consider any evidence of rehabilitation and mitigating factors contained in the applicant's record, including any of the following factors and evidence, to determine if the conviction will impair the ability of the applicant to engage in the position for which a license or certificate of registration is sought:

(1) the lack of direct relation of the offense for which the applicant was previously convicted to the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the position for which a license is sought;

(2) whether 5 years since a felony conviction or 3 years since release from confinement for the conviction, whichever is later, have passed without a subsequent conviction;

(3) if the applicant was previously licensed or employed in this State or other states or jurisdictions, then the lack of prior misconduct arising from or related to the licensed position or position of employment;

(4) the age of the person at the time of the criminal offense;

(5) successful completion of sentence and, for applicants serving a term of parole or probation, a progress report provided by the applicant's probation or parole officer that documents the applicant's compliance with conditions of supervision;

(6) evidence of the applicant's present fitness and professional character;

(7) evidence of rehabilitation or rehabilitative effort during or after incarceration, or during or after a term of supervision, including, but not limited to, a certificate of good conduct under Section 5-5.5-25 of the Unified Code of Corrections or a certificate of relief from disabilities under Section 5-5.5-10 of the Unified Code of Corrections; and

(8) any other mitigating factors that contribute to the person's potential and current ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position for which a license or employment is sought.

(c) If the Department refuses to issue a certificate of registration or license to an applicant, then the applicant shall be notified of the denial in writing with the following included in the notice of denial:

(1) a statement about the decision to refuse to issue a certificate of registration or a license;

(2) a list of the convictions that the Department determined will impair the applicant's ability to engage in the position for which a license or certificate of registration is sought;

(3) a list of convictions that formed the sole or partial basis for the refusal to issue a certificate of registration or a license; and

(4) a summary of the appeal process or the earliest the applicant may reapply for a license or certificate of registration, whichever is applicable.

(d) No later than May 1 of each year, the Department must prepare, publicly announce, and publish a report of summary statistical information relating to new and renewal license or certificate of registration applications during the preceding calendar year. Each report shall show, at a minimum:

(1) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license or certificate of registration under this Act within the previous calendar year;

(2) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license or certificate of registration under this Act within the previous calendar year who had any criminal conviction;

(3) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license or certificate of registration under this Act in the previous calendar year who were granted a license;

(4) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license or certificate of registration with a criminal conviction who were granted a license or certificate of registration under this Act within the previous calendar year;

(5) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license or certificate of registration under this Act within the previous calendar year who were denied a license or a certificate of registration; and

(6) the number of applicants for a new or renewal license or certificate of registration with a criminal conviction who were denied a license or certificate of registration under this Act in the previous calendar year in whole or in part because of a prior conviction.

(Source: P.A. 100-286, eff. 1-1-18.)