Gov. Quinn Grants Clemency to 38 People

Thirty-eight people have been granted clemency by Gov. Pat Quinn for crimes that date back decades.

Quinn announced Tuesday that he also denied another 129 petitions for clemency.

Crimes committed by those who were pardoned include theft, possession of a controlled substance, burglary and forgery, and solicitation of prostitutes.

Quinn has been whittling a backlog of more than 2,500 cases that accumulated during the administration of now-imprisoned Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Since taking office, Quinn has acted on 2,815 clemency petitions, granting 1,032 and denying 1,783.

The governor's office says each person granted clemency has recently undergone a criminal background check through the Illinois State Police.

Those granted pardons will be allowed to seek expungement of their convictions through the court system.