Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Illinois is one of the few states that has enacted comprehensive restrictions on companies that traffic in arrest photos for profit. The goal is to prevent exploitation, extortion, and long-term reputational harm caused by mugshot publishing.
Understanding Illinois Mugshot Removal Laws
Illinois’s primary consumer protection framework comes from the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505).
2019 Mugshot Website Prohibition
An important amendment prohibits any person or company from:
- Publishing a mugshot online
- Demanding payment for removal
- Charging for “processing,” “takedown,” or other fees
- Selling mugshot data to third parties
This applies to:
- Commercial mugshot websites
- Search engines dedicated to arrest photos
- Pay-to-remove sites
Violation of the statute can result in fines up to $100,000 per offense.
For reference, Illinois Senate Bill 2560 strengthened legal protections:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=10100SB2560&GA=101
How Mugshots Get Online in Illinois
To understand Illinois mugshot removal, it’s helpful to follow how arrest information spreads.
Typical data pathways include:
- Law enforcement databases
- Sheriff’s offices sometimes publish arrest logs.
- County jails often post detainee rosters.
- News websites
- Local media outlets may publish booking details.
- These articles often rank highly in search engines.
- Public records aggregators
- Background check companies collect public arrest data.
- People-search websites replicate it across hundreds of platforms.
- Third-party data brokers
- Many scrape mugshots from poorly regulated sources.
- Even after deletion, cached images may appear elsewhere.
Illinois’s laws prevent commercial sites from selling mugshots, but they do not erase the underlying arrest record when it remains legally accessible.
When You Qualify for Mugshot Removal in Illinois
Illinois allows several legal pathways to suppress or delete arrest information.
1. Mugshot was published by a prohibited website
Under 815 ILCS 505, you may demand immediate removal if the site:
- Sells mugshot access
- Charges for removal
- Profits through advertising around mugshot images
Sample Notice
Formal Removal Request
Subject: Unauthorized Mugshot Use – Illinois Statutory Violation
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a notice that your publication of my arrest photo violates 815 ILCS 505 and constitutes unlawful profiteering. You are required by law to remove the content within 10 business days.
Failure to comply may result in legal action and reporting to the Illinois Attorney General.
Sincerely,
[Name]
2. The arrest did not result in a conviction
Illinois is extremely protective of non-conviction records.
A mugshot may qualify for removal if:
- The case was dismissed
- You were acquitted
- Charges were dropped
- Supervision was completed successfully
- No charges were filed after arrest
These outcomes may also qualify for expungement, meaning the arrest can be erased from public records.
3. You qualify for sealing under Illinois law
If expungement is not available, many cases can still be sealed, meaning:
- The public cannot access the file
- Employers and landlords cannot use it against you
- Background check companies must remove the information
Sealing is governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.
4. Your arrest information is being misused or inaccurately reported
Examples include:
- Wrong person
- Duplicate listings
- Misreported charges
- Expunged or sealed cases still appearing
- Old arrest photos re-uploaded
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), consumer reporting agencies must investigate disputes and remove inaccurate information within 30 days.
How to Remove Illinois Mugshots From the Internet
The removal strategy varies by the publication source.
Step 1 — Identify Every Website Publishing Your Mugshot
Use search engines and run variations of your name with keywords such as:
- “arrest”
- “mugshot”
- “Illinois booking”
- “county jail photo”
Create a list of URLs for takedown.
Step 2 — Request Removal Based on Illinois Law
If a site charges or profits from mugshot publication:
It is prohibited under Illinois law. You may demand removal citing 815 ILCS 505.
If the site is a news outlet:
News organizations may legally publish arrest information. However, you may request:
- Removal based on updated case outcomes
- Revisions to reflect expungement
- Assistance through their internal unpublishing policies
If the site is a people-search or data broker platform:
Follow their opt-out process (this often requires verification).
How to Remove Mugshots from Google Search Results
Even after a website deletes the mugshot, it may remain visible in search results.
Steps to remove outdated content:
- Visit https://support.google.com/websearch/troubleshooter/3111061
- Select “Remove outdated content”
- Submit the URL and cached link
- Wait for Google’s review
This process removes the snippet from search results but does not affect the hosting website.
How Expungement and Sealing Support Mugshot Removal in Illinois
Expungement and sealing are powerful tools for long-term reputation repair.
Expungement (20 ILCS 2630/5.2)
When granted:
- Arrest records are erased
- Case files are destroyed or removed
- Mugshot websites cannot legally retain the image
- Background check companies must update or delete information
Eligible for expungement if:
- Arrest without charges
- Dismissed charges
- Successful completion of supervision
- Acquittal
- Not-guilty verdict
Expungement erases the public record.
Sealing (20 ILCS 2630/5.2)
When sealed:
- The public can no longer view the case
- Employers and landlords cannot use it
- Only law enforcement retains access
Eligible offenses include:
- Most misdemeanors
- Certain felonies
- Cannabis-related offenses
Sealing makes mugshot removal claims significantly stronger.
How Mugshots Impact Employment and Housing in Illinois
Mugshots—even outdated or inaccurate ones—can create barriers.
Employment impacts
- Loss of job offers
- Failed background checks
- Problems with professional licensing
Housing impacts
- Rental application denials
- Higher deposits
- Disqualification from certain housing programs
Social impacts
- Reputational damage
- Harassment
- Defamation risks
Illinois enacted mugshot laws specifically because of these harms.
Why Mugshots Persist Online Even After Removal
Even after deletion or expungement, mugshots may linger due to:
- Cached versions
- Web archives
- Mass data scraping
- Distribution across hundreds of data brokers
Ongoing monitoring is essential for long-term privacy.
How Remove Online Information Helps With Illinois Mugshot Removal
Remove Online Information assists with:
- Mugshot takedowns
- Data broker removal
- Public records suppression
- Search suppression
- Monitoring for reuploads
- Removal from background check sources
Visit:
👉 https://removeonlineinformation.com
to restore your online reputation and privacy.
Disputing Inaccurate Mugshot Data Under the FCRA
If a background check includes inaccurate or outdated information, you may dispute it.
Dispute steps
- Request a copy of your background report
- Identify errors
- Submit a written dispute
- Attach supporting documentation
- Allow 30 days for investigation
- Request correction notices
Illinois Mugshot Removal Notice Template
Subject: Demand for Immediate Removal of Mugshot – Violation of 815 ILCS 505
To Whom It May Concern:
This notice serves as a formal demand for removal of my arrest photograph currently displayed on your website. Your posting violates the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, specifically prohibitions on charging for removal or profiting from mugshot publication.
Pursuant to state law, you must remove this content within 10 business days.
Sincerely,
[Full Name]
FAQ: Illinois Mugshot Removal
Websites that charge for removal or profit from mugshots are prohibited.
No—expungement removes public records but not third-party copies.
Yes, though you may request updates or corrections.
You may qualify for expungement and immediate takedown requests.
Yes, if it violates consumer protection laws or engages in extortion-like behavior.
Use ongoing monitoring services, including those offered by Remove Online Information.
MLA Citations
Illinois General Assembly. Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505). 2024.
Illinois General Assembly. Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630). 2024.
United States Federal Trade Commission. Fair Credit Reporting Act. FTC.gov, 2024.
United States Department of Justice. Fair Housing Act Overview. Justice.gov, 2024.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions. EEOC.gov, 2024.