SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) — Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a law to block privately owned websites from charging people to remove mugshots an other criminal information.

The measure proposed by State Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) says these websites, which claim to work as background checks, charge thousands of dollars to remove the information. He says that’s even if the person’s record has been expunged, sealed or dismissed.

Stadelman says the websites have sometimes refused to remove the information after an individual was acquitted.

He also says in many cases, people weren’t even aware their information was listed on the website until they were denied a job opportunity.

This new law will become effective Jan. 1.