What can felons not do in Illinois?
Asked by: Fay Shields | Last update: January 6, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (29 votes)
Statutes in the Personal activities category restrict convicted felons' ability to obtain drivers or recreational licensing; participate in government, political, and civic life; vote; and access public housing and educational grants.
What are the restrictions on felonies in Illinois?
Felons may permanently or temporarily lose the ability to vote, serve on juries, hold public office, own firearms, receive government benefits, and retain custody rights, depending on state laws.
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Illinois?
Since felony convictions stay on your criminal record for life, it is a good idea to do whatever it takes to have them removed legally.
Can a felon own a gun after 10 years in Illinois?
To restore your eligibility, you must demonstrate to the state police director or a county court judge that you meet the following criteria: You haven't been convicted of any violent or forcible felony charges in the past 20 years.
What restrictions do convicted felons have?
Most jurisdictions deny convicted criminals specific rights rather than all civil and constitutional rights. The rights most often curtailed include the right to vote and hold public office, employment rights, domestic rights, and financial and contractual rights.
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What rights are felons denied?
- What is the New Law for Felons in California?
- Loss of Voting Rights During Incarceration or On Parole.
- Lifetime Ban on Owning, Possessing, or Purchasing Firearms in California.
- Lifetime Ban on Serving on Juries After a Felony Conviction.
- Can Convicted Felons Hold Public Office in California?
Do felonies go away after 7 years?
Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.
Can a felon get a concealed carry permit in Illinois?
Under federal law, people are generally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony or some domestic violence crimes or if they are subject to certain court orders related to domestic violence or a serious mental condition.
Can a felon in Illinois own a crossbow?
A bow and arrow and a crossbow are fine in Illinois.
Can a felon own a gun again?
California Penal Code 29800 PC imposes a lifetime ban on gun ownership or control by convicted felons. It applies to anyone convicted of a felony in any state or country.
Is Illinois a felon-friendly state?
According to the ABA, 1,449 Illinois statutes constrain convicted felons' rights, entitlements, and opportunities. Of those constraints, 77 percent impose restrictions on convicted felons' employment, occupational licensing, and business activities.
What felonies cannot be expunged in Illinois?
- Domestic battery.
- Violations of orders of protection.
- Stalking no contact orders.
- DUI.
- Reckless driving (unless under 25 years of age when sentenced)
- Sex crimes (aside from prostitution and misdemeanor public indecency)
- Crimes against animals under the Humane Care for Animals Act.
What is the second chance program for felonies in Illinois?
The second chance program is designed for first-time offenders who are willing to take responsibility for their conduct and want to keep a felony conviction off their record. If the defendant completes the program, the charges are dismissed with prejudice.
How long do felonies stay on your record in Illinois?
In Illinois, crimes stay on your record forever unless you take steps to expunge or seal them. This means that unless you act, your criminal record will be accessible to employers, landlords, and others who conduct background checks.
Can you be a teacher in Illinois with a felony?
In addition, any felony conviction of the applicant may be taken into consideration; however, no one may be licensed to teach or supervise in the public schools of this State who has been convicted of (i) an offense set forth in subsection (b) of Section 21B-80 of this Code until 7 years following the end of the ...
What's the worst felony?
A crime that's a Class A federal felony is the worst, with a maximum prison term of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A Class E federal felony involves a prison term of more than one year but less than five years and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Can a felon live in a house with a gun in Illinois?
Even if a firearm that is owned by someone else is found in your home, you can be charged with UUW Felon. At the Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we recognize that those with criminal records already face serious barriers to employment, higher education, loans, occupations licensing, housing and other hardships.
Can a felon get a liquor license in Illinois?
(4) A person who has been convicted of a felony under any Federal or State law, unless the Commission determines that such person will not be impaired by the conviction in engaging in the licensed practice after considering matters set forth in such person's application in accordance with Section 6-2.5 of this Act and ...
Can a convicted felon own a pellet gun in Illinois?
While the UUW by felon statute bars felons convicted under Illinois law "or any other jurisdiction" from possessing any "firearm or firearm ammunition," or weapon defined in the regular UUW statute, the term "firearm" is defined rather broadly elsewhere, and excludes certain items, including BB guns, provided those BB ...
Can felons get their gun rights back in Illinois?
Firearm rights are lost upon a felony conviction or juvenile adjudication/misdemeanor, 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/24-1.1(a), and may be restored upon appeal by the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Review Board, unless the conviction was for a certain violent, drug, or firearm offenses.
Can a felon get a passport?
Yes, a convicted felon can usually get a passport, but it depends on the felony and other factors: Felony typeSome felonies can automatically disqualify you from getting a passport, including: International drug trafficking Trafficking minors "Sex tourism" offenses Treason.
Can you get a perc card with a felony in Illinois?
Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) in Illinois
Applicants for a Permanent Employee Registration Card (PERC) must disclose criminal history and undergo fingerprinting for a background check. IDFPR may deny a PERC for convictions such as: Armed violence or robbery. Two or more violent acts.
Does a felony stay with you for life?
A felony will stay on your record forever in California unless you choose to take action and get the conviction removed. This is called the “expungement process” and generally requires the help of a legal representative to get underway.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?
Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.
Does a felony always result in jail time?
However, it's a common misconception that all felonies automatically result in jail time. The truth is more nuanced. Under California law, judges possess considerable discretion in sentencing, allowing them to impose probation in certain cases instead of incarceration.