Emanuel backs bill to expunge juvenile arrests

Chicago's mayor is throwing his support behind legislation that would automatically expunge certain juvenile arrest records.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported the proposal was introduced by Rep. Arthur Turner, a Chicago Democrat.

The bill would expunge any arrest for people under 18 who are never formally charged. The records would be erased once the person turns 18.

In Cook County, about 75 percent of juvenile arrests don't lead to charges. And since the bill would be retroactive, thousands of people could have records expunged.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement that "mistakes should not follow them into adulthood, nor prevent them from getting a job or competing for opportunities."

Adults can have their juvenile records expunged if they were never charged, but have to pay a fee and attend a court hearing.