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Individuals who apply for law enforcement jobs in Illinois might have new background screening requirements.

Senate Bill 1953

Legislators in Illinois passed a bill that would create enhanced background screening requirements for people who apply to law enforcement positions. Senate Bill 1953 (SB1953) states that no agency may make offers for law enforcement or probationary police officer positions unless the individuals have passed a background screening.

The bill would require candidates to:

• Sign a release.
• Authorize previous employers to make employment records available for inspection, including:
  • Background check documents.
  • Duty-related physical and psychological fitness-for-duty examinations.
  • Work performance records.
  • Criminal, civil, or administrative investigations of conduct, arrests, convictions, findings of guilt, pleas of guilty, or pleas of nolo contendere.

These regulations would apply to law enforcement agencies in any county that has at least 75,000 residents. SB1953 is still awaiting a signature from Governor JB Pritzker.

What Prompted The Bill

SB1953 was written after an individual who called 911 regarding a mental health emergency was shot and killed by a responding officer. A Senator who is a friend of the family that suffered this tragedy introduced the bill. If signed into law, the legislation is expected to create better protections for communities and establish a deeper level of trust between Illinois residents and law enforcement.

A Concern About The Bill

One concern that has been brought up regarding SB1953 is the possibility that a previous employer might be slow or negligent in providing the requested materials. Should this happen, the worry is that it could delay or possibly even end the hiring process for that individual.

To address that, a State Representative suggested that it might be possible to compel a non-responsive former employer to adhere to the request. Specifically, if an organization does not respond within 14 days, the matter could be taken to court. A member of the McLean County Sheriff’s Department also noted that they already typically look for that information before bringing on new recruits.

Safety Sensitive Positions

While every type of position benefits from comprehensive background screenings, they are critical for any that are considered to be safety sensitive. These are positions that have authority over others, such as law enforcement, and those that require employees to work with vulnerable individuals.

It is essential to thoroughly screen anyone who might work closely with the elderly, children and other such populations. Background checks show hiring managers if someone has serious criminal or other records that might indicate they pose an undue risk to the business, other staff or the people they serve.

If Your Organization Needs Background Checks

Whether your organization hires for safety sensitive positions, jobs that do not require workers to interact with the public or access personal data, or anything in between, background checks are a critical part of the hiring process. They help businesses make informed decisions, maintain safe workplaces and conduct due diligence. These reports show reviewers if an applicant has the training, education, licenses or anything else they need to succeed.

If your organization needs employment background checks, please contact us. Our highly experienced team can help you customize screening packages that are tailored to your particular needs, comply with relevant laws and adhere to industry best practices. Based in California, we are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.