Expungement Lawyer Fees in Chicago
Expungement lawyer fees in Chicago, Illinois average about $1,350 — roughly 92% of the U.S. average and in line with the Illinois state average of $1,350.
What this typically includes
Reviewing your record and confirming eligibility, preparing and filing the expungement or sealing petition, and representing you at any hearing. Court filing fees and obtaining records (background check, fingerprints) are billed separately.
Illinois clears records through a petition-based process: you or your attorney must file to expunge or seal an eligible record, rather than it clearing automatically.
Expungement attorneys in Illinois usually charge a flat fee per petition. Illinois sets which offenses are eligible, the waiting period, and whether any records clear automatically, and these laws are expanding quickly, so confirm the current rules locally.
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About Chicago, IL
With a cost-of-living index of 92% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $71,673, expungement attorney fees in Chicago generally land 8% lower than the national norm. The Chicago area supports roughly 6,311 law firms, so there is real local competition for your case. As a local cost gauge, the fair-market rent for a two-bedroom home in the Chicago area is about $1,714/month.
How Chicago compares
Average expungement lawyer fees, Chicago vs. Illinois vs. the U.S.
Chicago sits about 8% lower than the national average for expungement lawyer fees.
What affects expungement lawyer fees in Chicago
In Chicago, the cost of living sits at 92% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $71,673 — both of which shape what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors determine expungement lawyer fees:
- Number of records — Each charge or case is usually a separate petition and fee.
- Misdemeanor vs. felony — Felony expungements are more complex and cost more than misdemeanors.
- Eligibility & waiting period — Confirming eligibility and the required wait is the first step.
- Court hearing — A contested or hearing-required petition adds attorney time.
- Automatic vs. petition — Clean Slate states clear some records for free, avoiding a petition.
- Jurisdiction — State eligibility rules, waiting periods, and procedures vary widely.
How to choose a expungement lawyer in Chicago
Fees matter, but the right expungement attorney in Chicago also protects both your time and your result. Before you hire:
- Confirm the fee structure. Expungement matters are usually a flat fee — one agreed price for the work. Get it in writing before you sign — our flat fees guide explains exactly what to look for.
- Look for expungement experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles expungement cases in Illinois, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Chicago expungement attorneys review your case at no cost — use it to compare two or three.
- Verify licensing. Confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the Illinois state bar.
- Clarify what's included. Ask which case costs are separate from the fee and how they are billed — see attorney fees vs. case costs.
Average attorney fees in Chicago by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Chicago's cost-of-living index (92). Open a case type for its full Chicago fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $1,850 | $5,500 | $13,750 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $1,850 | $6,850 | $18,300 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $730 | $1,350 | $3,200 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $2,750 | $9,150 | $27,500 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $920 | $1,850 | $4,100 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $920 | $3,200 | $9,150 |
| Disability | Contingency | $1,850 | $3,650 | $8,450 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,100 | $13,750 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $4,600 | $14,650 | $45,800 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $2,750 | $8,250 | $27,500 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,300 | $7,350 | $22,900 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $2,750 | $8,250 | $30,250 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,350 | $5,500 | $18,300 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $2,750 | $9,150 | $27,500 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $1,850 | $6,850 | $22,900 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $13,750 | $54,950 | $229,000 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $460 | $1,100 | $2,300 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,350 | $6,400 | $18,300 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $1,850 | $7,350 | $22,900 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $920 | $2,300 | $6,850 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $920 | $3,200 | $9,150 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,650 | $11,000 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $920 | $2,300 | $6,850 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,650 | $11,000 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $3,200 | $7,350 | $13,750 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $180 | $370 | $920 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $460 | $1,850 | $4,600 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,100 | $2,300 | $4,600 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,350 | $4,600 | $11,000 |
| Will | Flat fee | $140 | $370 | $920 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,650 | $9,150 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,350 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $460 | $1,350 | $3,650 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,200 | $9,150 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $3,200 | $9,150 | $27,500 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $1,850 | $5,500 | $13,750 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $920 | $2,300 | $6,850 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $690 | $1,350 | $3,200 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,300 | $6,850 | $18,300 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,650 | $9,150 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $1,850 | $3,200 | $5,500 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $1,850 | $3,650 | $7,350 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $460 | $920 | $2,300 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $3,650 | $6,400 | $11,000 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,350 | $2,300 | $3,650 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $3,200 | $5,500 | $9,150 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $2,750 | $7,350 | $18,300 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $3,200 | $5,500 | $9,150 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $640 | $1,100 | $2,300 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $730 | $1,200 | $2,300 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $460 | $1,100 | $2,750 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $140 | $460 | $1,850 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,350 | $3,200 | $6,850 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,350 | $3,650 | $9,150 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $920 | $2,300 | $5,500 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $920 | $1,350 | $2,300 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $2,750 | $3,650 | $5,500 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $460 | $1,850 | $4,600 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $920 | $2,750 | $7,350 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $1,850 | $3,650 | $8,450 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $1,850 | $3,650 | $8,450 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,350 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,300 | $7,350 | $22,900 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $92 | $270 | $690 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $92 | $270 | $690 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $92 | $270 | $690 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $920 | $2,300 | $4,600 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $690 | $1,600 | $2,750 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $4,600 | $9,150 | $16,500 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $550 | $1,100 | $2,300 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,350 | $3,650 | $9,150 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $92 | $460 | $1,350 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $2,750 | $13,750 | $45,800 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $1,850 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $1,850 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $4,600 | $13,750 | $45,800 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,300 | $9,150 | $36,650 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $2,750 | $11,000 | $41,200 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $2,750 | $11,000 | $41,200 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $4,600 | $18,300 | $91,600 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,350 | $4,600 | $13,750 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,350 | $5,500 | $22,900 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $22,900 | $91,600 | $320,600 |
Expungement lawyer fees in other Illinois cities
Compare local expungement attorney fees across Illinois.
FAQs - Expungement attorney fees in Chicago
Expungement lawyer fees in Chicago average about $1,350, with a typical range of $460 to $3,650. That is roughly 92% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Chicago's cost-of-living index is about 92% of the national average, so expungement attorney fees here tend to run 8% lower than the U.S. norm.
The figures here are local averages. For a number tied to your specific situation, request a free match with a expungement attorney in Chicago, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for expungement cases and adjust it by Chicago's cost-of-living index — about 92% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $460, $1,350, and $3,650.
Chicago averages about $1,350 for expungement lawyer fees, compared with roughly $1,350 across Illinois and $1,500 nationally.
Many expungement attorneys in Chicago offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Chicago attorney who regularly handles expungement cases, check reviews and their standing with the Illinois state bar, and use free consultations to compare a few before you decide.
Attorney fees pay for the lawyer's time and skill, while case costs are separate out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees, records, and expert witnesses. In a Chicago expungement matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Chicago, expungement lawyer fees are typically paid as a single flat fee agreed up front. Case costs are usually billed separately from the fee.
For most expungement matters, yes — the right attorney can improve your outcome by more than the fee, and many work on terms that limit your risk. Use a free Chicago consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Chicago expungement fee estimates span ZIP code 60601.
Last updated Aug 6, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.