In recent years, Illinois’ Ban-the-Box” law disallowed employers from asking about criminal convictions prior to a job offer or before a candidate is selected for an interview. Now Illinois has taken the next step in banning the use of criminal history when making employment decisions.
In January, the Illinois legislature passed Senate Bill 1480, which states there must be a substantial relationship between the criminal history and the job position to consider an applicant’s criminal conviction history. The only other exception applies if the employer can show that the individual’s employment raises an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.
Governor Pritzker is expected to sign this bill into law soon amending the Illinois Human Rights Act. It would go into effect immediately.
