Chicago Officials Praise Legislation To Make Expunging Juvenile Records Easier

(CBS) -- Elected officials from Chicago are heralding the passage of legislation making it easier for young people to have their minor arrest records erased, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

State Representative Arthur Turner, D-Chicago, credits Mayor Emanuel with helping pass the bill that would automatically expunge certain minor juvenile arrest records when someone turns 18.

"With the support of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his team down in Springfield and the city of Chicago, we were able to bring all interested parties to the table," said Turner.

Emanuel says this could help bring more young people to get jobs when they otherwise would be blocked. Activist Anna Travis with the Mikva Challenge says automatic erasure makes a difference.

"We looked into the current expunger process and we found that the process is expensive, confusing and time-consuming. Last year, there were more than 21,000 youth arrests in Cook County, but only 400 people successfully cleared their records," Travis said.

Officials say the next task is making sure young people know about the law once the governor signs it.