Background Checks: Know Your Rights

Ban The Box
Under Illinois law an employer cannot ask about your criminal background on a job application. The employer can only ask about your background after your qualifications have been reviewed.

No discrimination
Your employer may not use criminal background checks to discriminate based on race, sex, national origin, color or religion.

Written consent
Your employer must get your written permission to perform a background check, as well as written disclosure that a check may be performed.

Copy of results and notice of rights
If something comes back on your background check, you must be provided with a copy of the results and written notice of your rights.

Opportunity to dispute results
Your employer must give you an opportunity to dispute the results before taking action against you.