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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Juvenile Criminal Records Hurting Opportunities For Illinois Residents

"Bureaucracy" By Flickr User Christian Schnettelker / (CC By 2.0)

Juvenile criminal records are preventing Illinois residents from opportunities like getting a job or finding housing ... despite confidentiality laws.

That's the conclusion of a study released today by the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission. 

Julie Biehl of Northwestern University's law school, says sharing of a minor's criminal record is common... even by people who know it's against the law. 

"Despite the devastating harm caused to young people by the illegal sharing or unlawful sharing of records, Illinois does not punish people who illegally share juvenile records,” Biehl said.

But it's not just unlawful sharing that's the problem.

Commission members say lawmakers need to change current state law because it allows too much legal sharing of private information. ?

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