Chicago Background Checks

Whether it’s for pre-employment screening or volunteer positions, background checks are an important tool for assessing a candidate’s qualifications and eligibility for a role. By delving into the types of background checks available, the information they reveal, and the various screenings regulations, employers can confidently make informed hiring decisions that align with your organization’s values and objectives.

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Top Reasons Employers Run Background Checks In Chicago

A Chicago background check can help employers mitigate risk, help ensure workplace safety, and make informed hiring decisions. A comprehensive background check can also help employers verify the information a candidate provides in a job application or interview and provide insight into a candidate’s history that may not show up in other areas of the hiring process. 

Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations is another reason employers conduct Chicago background checks. Specific industries and positions may require specific screenings to fulfill legal requirements or meet industry standards.

What Shows Up On A Chicago Background Check?

What shows up on a Chicago background check depends upon the type of search conducted; federal, state, and local laws regulating background checks; and the employer’s background screening policy. Background checks in Chicago may include data from Cook County or records at the state level, searching all Illinois courts.

Here are some common background screenings that may be part of a city of Chicago employment background check and what may be reported:

• Criminal background checks may show misdemeanor and felony convictions, arrest records, and pending criminal cases.
• Motor vehicle records checks show license type and status, suspensions, revocations, and motor vehicle-related offenses and convictions, like DUIs.
• Employment verification reports a candidate’s prior employment, including positions held and dates of employment.
• Education verification reports schools attended, dates of attendance and any credentials or degrees the candidate earned.  
• Credit checks for employment may show open credit lines, payment history, accounts in collections, and public information including bankruptcies or tax liens. These searches are often used for managerial roles or jobs handling money.
• Drug testing can identify current or past use of certain prescription and illicit substances or alcohol.

Where To Get A Background Check In Chicago

Employers can choose to conduct city of Chicago employment background checks themselves or partner with a trusted consumer reporting agency (CRA), like GoodHire. While it is possible to conduct some Illinois background checks online, many screenings can require manual searches which can be time-consuming for hiring managers and human resources teams. 

For example, records for a criminal background check in Chicago can be ordered online through the Illinois State Police Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) and Circuit Clerk Web Interface shared web portal, which includes Cook county. Federal records in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois can be searched with the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.

When employers partner with GoodHire, however, they can benefit from a more streamlined background check process, faster turnaround times, and more accurate results. GoodHire’s user-friendly workflows and tools to support compliance can help employers save time and company resources. 

How Much Do Chicago Background Checks Cost?

The cost of a Chicago background check depends on who is conducting the search and the type of reports being ordered. When employers perform background checks on their own, you typically need to pay for the cost of each record individually which can be costly. 

GoodHire offers affordable, customizable background check packages starting at $29.99. As an FCRA-compliant background check service, GoodHire ensures that employers can make informed hiring decisions while minimizing legal risks.

While GoodHire is a trusted option for employers, individuals seeking free background check services can explore other providers available in the market. However, it’s important to note these free services may not be comprehensive or permitted for employment purposes.

Get A Chicago Background Check With GoodHire

Background checks can be used to identify qualified candidates and reduce organizational risk. A trusted background check provider can help employers conducting Chicago background checks save time and streamline their screening process. When you partner with GoodHire, you have access to 100+ screening options to fit your needs with fast turnaround times and accurate reporting. Our modern platform is easy-to-use with built-in tools and automated workflows to help enable compliance. Get started with GoodHire today.

Get A Chicago Background Check Today

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