What’s the Basic Idea Behind Expungement in Illinois, and What Laws Govern It?

January 18, 2023
Expungement

The basic idea behind expungement in Illinois is to give people with a criminal record a fresh start. This process, also known as record clearing or expungement, involves having your criminal records sealed. When your records are sealed, the court order restricts public access and prevents employers, landlords, and other third parties from seeing them.

In Illinois, expungement of criminal records is regulated by the Criminal Identification Act (20 Read More

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What Kind of Information Turns Up on a Criminal Background Check?

January 11, 2023
Background Checks

A background check is a way to search someone’s personal background information. It can include things like criminal records, addresses, education and more. Depending on who’s doing the checking, the type of information varies greatly. This guide explains what comes up on criminal background checks – and what you can do if you have a criminal record you don’t want anyone to see.

Individual Background Checks

For individuals, a basic Read More

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How Can You Overcome Negative Information in a Pre-Employment Background Check?

January 5, 2023
Background Checks

If you’re like many people, you’ve applied for a job that requested your Social Security number and other personal information that enabled the prospective employer to run a background check on you. Generally, employers must get your written permission to conduct a background check. But what if you really want a job and know that you have negative information on your criminal history? Is there anything you can do? This Read More

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Why Do Employers Run Background Checks on Workers?

December 28, 2022
Background Checks | Employment

If you’re applying for a job that requires you to pass a background check, you may be sweating about what your prospective employer will see on your record. This guide explains:

  1. What is a background check and why do employers run them
  2. Types of information included in a background check
  3. How employers use the information from a background check
  4. Can you clear your criminal record so an employer won’t find
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Why Do Landlords Run Background Checks, and What Will They See On Yours?

December 21, 2022
Background Checks | Criminal Records | Expungement | Landlords | Records Sealing | Sealing

If you’re like many people, you know that when you apply for a new place to live, the landlord is probably going to run a background check on you. But if they do that, will they be able to see old arrests, charges and convictions? What else will they see? This guide explains the following:

  1. What is a background check, and why do landlords run them on prospective tenants?
  2. What
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Expungement vs. Sealing: Which is Right for You?

December 14, 2022
Criminal Records | Expungement | Records Sealing

If you’re like many people, you know that Illinois provides people the opportunity to clear their criminal records in some cases. However, expungement and sealing aren’t available in every case – and sometimes only one is an option. This guide explains the following:

  1. What is expungement in Illinois?
  2. What is sealing in Illinois?
  3. The differences between expungement and sealing
  4. Who can get their record expunged or sealed?
  5. How to get
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Can Someone You Date Pull Up Your Criminal History?

December 7, 2022
Background Checks | Criminal Records

Is it possible for anyone off the street to pull up a criminal history report on you? What about someone you’re dating? And if someone were to pull up your records, what would they find? This guide explains how background checks work in Illinois and what you can do to clear your criminal history if necessary.

What is a Criminal History Report, and Why Would Someone Want to Pull One Read More
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Do Dropped Charges Show Up on Your Criminal Record?

November 30, 2022
Criminal Records | Expungement | Records Sealing | Sealing

Many people are surprised to discover that they have criminal records – and those records can be due to simple things such as arrests and picking up criminal charges. But if the state drops its charges against you, will you still have a record? This guide explains.

Do Dropped Charges Show Up on Your Criminal Record?

As soon as you’re “booked” – that is, as soon as you’re processed in Read More

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How Soon Should You Clear Your Criminal Record Before You Look for a Job?

November 23, 2022
Criminal Records | Expungement | Records Sealing | Sealing

It’s no secret that many employers running criminal background checks on the people they’re considering hiring. In fact, it’s generally considered good business to find out as much as you can about a person before you make a hiring decision. But for some prospective employees, that’s bad news. If you have a criminal record, you may not want employers digging into your past; you’re trying to get a fresh start, Read More

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What Info Shows Up on an Employment Background Check?

November 16, 2022
Background Checks | Employment

When you apply for a job, you may be subject to a background check. Many people are, so you’re definitely not alone. But what type of information can an employer see on a background check? This guide explains.

What Info Shows Up on an Employment Background Check?

Employers in Chicago and the surrounding communities are allowed to conduct criminal background checks on prospective job applicants. That’s to ensure that they Read More

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