On Jan. 16, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law the Clean Slate Act, which will automatically seal records for individuals with certain non-violent convictions—a long overdue step toward correcting a system that has punished people for far too long.

This is not a radical experiment in leniency. For decades, people who have committed non-violent offenses and served their time have been continually harmed by their record, years after they’ve been released from prison.

Past offenses have hindered millions of people’s access to employment, education and housing, all opportunities that make a successful reentry into society possible.

Under the bill, which will officially take effect in June, eligible individuals’ records will be sealed after the completion of their sentence and a waiting period, which will be two years for a misdemeanor offense and three years for a felony.

The current process to seal records varies across the state, with individuals having to file a petition, obtain legal representation and make court appearances—a process that turns a completed sentence into a continuous barrier.

Under the Clean Slate Act, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts will still have full access to past offenders’ records, and employers regulated by state or federal law, including schools and public transportation agencies, would still be able to access sealed records.

By no means does the new law open the doors to all past offenders, especially those with a history of committing violent crimes, including murder and domestic battery. Rather, it aims to acknowledge the reality that bureaucratic obstacles have made it far too difficult for individuals to move on with their lives and better themselves. Being able to let go of the past, to some degree, is essential in reducing recidivism rates.

When people are given a fair chance to work, secure housing and pursue an education, they are much more likely to make a positive impact on their community. Second chances only have meaning when people actually have an opportunity to earn them, and not be stuck in a constant cycle of bureaucratic obstacles.

The Clean Slate Act reinforces that justice is not only about punishment. It is equally about rehabilitation and giving people the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Past mistakes—non-violent ones—should not become a permanent mark on the rest of someone’s life.