Cleaning up past mistakes

Add comment November 14th, 2007

The toughest obstacle for former criminals who want to turn their lives around is finding a job. Nearly every employer asks if you’ve been convicted of a felony, and many won’t give an applicant a second look if the check the “yes”box.

But the law provides ways for ex-offenders to clean up their rap sheet. Several local agencies will host a day-long seminar Thursday on expungement, the process of purging or sealing criminal and arrest records. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Promise of Life Temple, 714 Third Ave., Rockford.

Many people who have never been convicted can qualify for the program along with others who were convicted of misdemeanor or non-violent crimes.

The event is co-sponsored by Exchange, Illinois Department of Employment Security, the Safer Foundation, Carpenter’s Place and the Workforce Connection.

Representatives of local agencies will be present with information about services available to ex-offenders. Among the agencies participating are the Salvation Army, the Illinois Department of Human Services, Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Winnebago County Weed and Seed, Northwest Community Center, Crusader Clinic, Rockford Rescue Mission, Careers Inc. and YouthBuild.

There also will be attorneys volunteering to discuss the expungement and sealing process.