Quick Answer
Conditional, Advocate Aurora Health hires individuals with felony convictions for certain positions. As a major non-profit healthcare system operating approximately 26 hospitals and over 500 sites of care across Illinois and Wisconsin with approximately 75,000 employees (now part of Advocate Health with operations in six states), employment decisions are subject to extremely stringent federal and state regulations, particularly those concerning patient safety and fraud.
A conviction is not an automatic disqualifier for all roles. The law prohibits companies from having a blanket policy excluding all felons. Instead, they must conduct an individualized assessment of the conviction to determine if it is job-related and consistent with business necessity.
The single greatest barrier is the OIG Exclusion List (LEIE)—a permanent legal bar for those with Medicare/Medicaid fraud, patient abuse, or healthcare-related felonies. Additional barriers exist for felonies related to patient abuse/violence (patient safety mandate), drug offenses (controlled substance access), and fraud/theft (financial integrity requirements).
Best opportunities exist in support services such as Environmental Services (EVS), Food Services, Laundry, and Facilities Maintenance—roles with minimal or no direct patient contact and limited access to controlled substances. The company raised its minimum wage to $18/hr, making entry-level positions competitively compensated.
Table of Content
Felon-Friendly Scorecard
Factor | Rating | Details |
Overall Accessibility | ★★☆☆☆ | Low for clinical/patient-facing roles due to OIG exclusion and state laws. Moderate for support services (EVS, Food Services, Facilities). |
Background Check Depth | Extensive | Comprehensive check including national criminal search, OIG/SAM exclusion lists, sex offender registry. Drug screening mandatory. |
Lookback Period | 7 Years/Permanent | OIG/SAM exclusion is permanent with no time limit. Other convictions follow standard 7-year lookback with individualized assessment. |
Integrity Focus | Absolute | Zero tolerance for fraud, dishonesty, and falsification. Severe federal penalties for OIG non-compliance. |
Safety Concern | Absolute | Legal mandate to protect vulnerable patients. Critical scrutiny for violence, abuse, sexual offenses, drug diversion. |
Best Entry Point | Support Services | EVS, Food Services, Laundry, Facilities at $18+/hr. Minimal patient contact, no controlled substance access. |
Eligibility Checklist
Before applying, honestly assess whether you meet these baseline requirements:
OIG Exclusion Status: Must NOT be on the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). This is a permanent legal bar with no exceptions. Check your status at https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov before applying.
No Blanket Exclusion: Must be aware that for non-OIG-related offenses, the company is not allowed to automatically exclude you. EEOC guidelines require individualized assessment.
Job-Related Assessment: Must be prepared for the company to evaluate whether your felony is related to the job duties using the Green Factors (nature of crime, time elapsed, nature of job).
Drug Screen: Must pass mandatory pre-employment drug screening. Healthcare environments require drug-free workplaces due to patient safety and controlled substance access.
Physical Requirements: Many positions require standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 lbs, and working in hospital environments including exposure to cleaning chemicals (EVS) or commercial kitchen conditions (Food Services).
Honesty is Paramount: Must be completely honest about your criminal record. Dishonesty will be discovered through comprehensive background check and treated as an integrity failure—automatic disqualifier.
Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to provide required I-9 documentation.
Critical Regulatory Information
Understanding the legal landscape for criminal records in healthcare employment is essential for Second Chance applicants. Advocate Aurora Health operates in Illinois and Wisconsin, both of which have fair chance hiring protections, but healthcare is subject to additional federal regulations that supersede general employment laws.
EEOC Guidelines
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission advises employers not to automatically refuse to consider an applicant because of a criminal record. Employers must conduct an individualized assessment considering the Green Factors:
(1) Nature and gravity of the offense;
(2) Time elapsed since the offense and/or completion of sentence;
(3) Nature of the job sought and its relationship to the offense. However, healthcare employers have additional mandatory federal compliance requirements that may supersede EEOC guidance.
FCRA Requirements
If a third party conducts the background check and a job offer is denied based on the report, Advocate Aurora Health must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) adverse action procedures:
(1) Provide pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report and summary of FCRA rights;
(2) Allow reasonable time to dispute inaccuracies;
(3) Provide final adverse action notice if decision stands after review.
State-Specific Considerations
Illinois: Has Ban-the-Box law (Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act) applying to private employers with 15+ employees. Criminal history inquiries prohibited until after interview or conditional offer. Chicago has additional local protections. Illinois law also includes criminal record as a protected class under fair employment laws. Wisconsin: Employers may not refuse to hire based on pending charges or convictions unless 'substantially related' to the job. Milwaukee has city ban-the-box ordinance for city employment. Wisconsin's fair employment law includes arrest and conviction record protections.
Healthcare Industry-Specific Considerations
OIG Exclusion (Permanent Legal Bar): Advocate Aurora Health is legally required to check all workers against the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Individuals excluded due to convictions for Medicare/Medicaid fraud, patient abuse/neglect, or felony healthcare offenses are permanently barred from working in any capacity paid for, directly or indirectly, by federal healthcare funds. Employing an excluded individual subjects the organization to severe civil monetary penalties ($10,000+ per day). Controlled Substances: Healthcare facilities have access to controlled substances, making drug-related convictions particularly scrutinized. Patient Safety: Overriding legal mandate to protect vulnerable patients creates absolute barriers for crimes involving violence, abuse, sexual offenses, and drug diversion.
Company Overview
Advocate Aurora Health is one of the largest non-profit, integrated health systems in the Midwest. The organization was formed in 2018 through the merger of Illinois-based Advocate Health Care and Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care. In December 2022, Advocate Aurora Health merged with North Carolina-based Atrium Health to create Advocate Health, now the fifth-largest non-profit integrated health system in the United States with approximately 150,000 employees across six states.
The Advocate Aurora Health division operates approximately 26 hospitals and more than 500 sites of care across Illinois and Wisconsin, employing approximately 75,000 employees, including over 10,000 physicians. The health system serves approximately 3 million patients annually. Major facilities include Advocate Christ Medical Center, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Lutheran General Hospital, and Aurora Lakeland Medical Center.
As a faith-based organization, Advocate Aurora Health emphasizes holistic care rooted in serving the health needs of individuals, families, and communities. The company is a teaching affiliate of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and conducts extensive clinical research through the Advocate Aurora Research Institute. The organization has been recognized as a top employer, including Forbes' 2024 Best Employers ranking for the Milwaukee area.
Company Fast Facts
Founded: 2018 (merger); roots to 1984 (Aurora) and 1992 (Advocate)
Headquarters: Downers Grove, IL and Milwaukee, WI (dual headquarters)
Employees: ~75,000 (Advocate Aurora); ~150,000 (combined Advocate Health)
Hospitals: 26 acute and specialty care hospitals
Sites of Care: 500+ including clinics, urgent care, home health
Patients Served: ~3 million annually
Parent Company: Advocate Health (since Dec 2022)
Minimum Wage: $18/hr (raised in 2021)
Hiring Policy Analysis
Advocate Aurora Health conducts comprehensive background checks on all employment candidates as part of its commitment to patient safety and regulatory compliance. The company follows fair chance hiring practices consistent with Illinois and Wisconsin state laws, conducting background checks after a conditional job offer. However, healthcare employment is subject to additional federal requirements including mandatory OIG/SAM exclusion screening that creates absolute barriers for certain offense types. The organization maintains hiring/training programs for those with criminal records as an opportunity for a second chance, according to company information.
Position-Specific Barriers
Barrier levels are determined by patient contact, controlled substance access, federal regulatory requirements, and professional licensing needs.
Barrier Level | Position Types | Key Considerations |
Lower Barriers | EVS, Food Services, Laundry, Facilities | Minimal direct patient contact, no controlled substance access, no professional licensing. $18+/hr starting. |
Moderate Barriers | Administrative, Registration, Call Center, IT Support | Limited or indirect patient contact. Financial crimes scrutinized for billing/registration. PHI access requires integrity review. |
Higher Barriers | Patient Transport, CNA, Medical Assistant, Technicians | Direct patient contact. Violence, abuse, sexual offense convictions generally disqualifying. May require certification. |
Highest Barriers | Nursing, Pharmacy, Physicians, Licensed Positions | Professional licensing requirements, controlled substance access, OIG exclusion check, state board approval. Most convictions disqualifying. |
Available Positions and Pay
Pay data compiled from Glassdoor, Indeed, and company announcements. Advocate Aurora Health raised its minimum wage to $18/hr in 2021, directly impacting approximately 10,800 employees in food service and environmental services positions. Actual compensation varies by location, shift, and experience.
Position | Pay Range | Barrier | Notes |
Environmental Services (EVS) | $18-$22/hr | Lower | Hospital cleaning, minimal patient contact |
Food Service Worker | $18-$21/hr | Lower | Dietary services, cafeteria, patient meals |
Laundry/Linen Services | $18-$20/hr | Lower | Processing hospital linens, no patient contact |
Facilities/Maintenance | $19-$28/hr | Lower | Building maintenance, trades may require cert |
Patient Service Representative | $20-$24/hr | Moderate | Registration, scheduling, front desk |
Medical Assistant (CMA) | $19-$25/hr | Higher | Direct patient care, certification required |
CNA/Patient Care Tech | $18-$23/hr | Higher | Direct patient care, CNA certification required |
Pharmacy Technician | $18-$26/hr | Highest | Controlled substance access, licensing required |
Career Path Examples
Advocate Aurora Health offers career advancement opportunities, particularly in support services. The company provides tuition assistance for employees pursuing healthcare credentials. Building a track record in support services can open doors to clinical pathways.
Environmental Services Track: EVS Worker ($18-$22/hr) → EVS Lead ($20-$25/hr) → EVS Supervisor ($45K-$55K/yr) → EVS Manager ($55K-$70K/yr). Advancement based on performance, reliability, and leadership skills.
Food Services Track: Food Service Worker ($18-$21/hr) → Cook/Line Lead ($19-$24/hr) → Food Service Supervisor ($40K-$50K/yr) → Dietary Manager ($50K-$65K/yr). Experience in high-volume food service valued.
Administrative Track: Patient Service Rep ($20-$24/hr) → Registration Lead ($22-$28/hr) → Supervisor ($45K-$55K/yr) → Manager ($55K-$75K/yr). Customer service excellence and accuracy key to advancement.
Background Check Process
Understanding Advocate Aurora Health's background check process helps you prepare mentally and practically for what to expect. The company conducts comprehensive background checks after extending a conditional job offer, consistent with Illinois and Wisconsin fair chance laws. However, healthcare background checks are more extensive than standard employment screening.
What They Check: National criminal search (all states); county criminal search for addresses over past 7 years; federal criminal records; OIG/SAM exclusion list screening (mandatory, no exceptions); sex offender registry; identity verification through SSN trace and address history; employment verification; education/credential verification for licensed positions; mandatory drug screening.
Lookback Period: Standard 7-year criminal lookback for most convictions under FCRA. HOWEVER, OIG/SAM exclusion is PERMANENT with no time limit—once excluded, always excluded unless formally reinstated. Professional licensing boards may consider lifetime history. Illinois and Wisconsin state laws provide some protections for relevance determination.
Timeline: The hiring process typically takes 2-4 weeks from application to hire. Background checks complete within 5-10 business days after authorization. Drug screening results within days. OIG exclusion check is immediate through federal database.
Process Flow: Application submitted → Phone screening → Interview(s) → Conditional offer extended → Background check and drug test authorization signed → OIG/SAM exclusion check (immediate) → Comprehensive background check conducted → Drug screening completed → Results reviewed using individualized assessment → Final hiring decision → Pre-adverse or adverse action notice if applicable → Start date confirmed → Orientation.
Disqualifying Factors
Automatic Disqualification (No Exceptions): OIG/SAM exclusion (permanent bar); failed drug test; dishonesty on application or during background check process.
High Risk for Disqualification: Patient abuse, neglect, or exploitation convictions; sexual offenses of any kind; violent crimes including assault, battery, weapons offenses; healthcare fraud or Medicare/Medicaid-related offenses; drug trafficking or distribution; theft/fraud convictions for positions with financial access; any conviction within the past 3-5 years.
Lower Risk (Case-by-Case): Older non-violent convictions (7+ years) with demonstrated rehabilitation; non-violent drug possession charges (though drug screening will apply); DUI/DWI for non-driving positions; property crimes without violence and with significant time elapsed. All subject to individualized assessment considering nature of role and evidence of rehabilitation.
Your Rights as Applicant
FCRA Protections: You must receive written notice and provide consent before a background check. If denied based on the report, you're entitled to a copy and the right to dispute inaccuracies.
Pre-Adverse Action Notice: Before a final decision, you must receive notice with a copy of the report and a summary of your rights. You have reasonable time to respond with rehabilitation evidence.
EEOC Protection: For non-OIG-related offenses, you have the right to an individualized assessment. Blanket exclusions based solely on criminal record are prohibited.
Illinois Ban-the-Box: Under the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, employers with 15+ employees cannot inquire about criminal history until after interview or conditional offer.
Wisconsin Protections: Employers may not refuse to hire based on convictions unless 'substantially related' to the job. Arrest and conviction record are included in Wisconsin's fair employment law as protected categories.
Application Strategy
Check OIG Exclusion Status FIRST: Before applying anywhere in healthcare, verify you are NOT on the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities at https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov. This is a permanent legal bar with no workarounds. If you are excluded, focus on non-healthcare employment until/unless reinstatement is obtained.
Target Support Services Positions: Focus on Environmental Services (EVS), Food Services, Laundry, and Facilities Maintenance positions. These roles have minimal direct patient contact and no access to controlled substances, avoiding the strictest regulatory barriers associated with clinical positions.
Apply Through Official Channels: Submit applications through careers.advocateaurorahealth.org or Advocate Health careers site. The organization posts on Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. Apply to multiple facility locations to maximize opportunities.
Be Completely Honest: Never lie about your criminal history. Healthcare background checks are comprehensive and will discover dishonesty. Under Illinois and Wisconsin fair chance laws, you won't be asked until after interview or conditional offer. Dishonesty is treated as an integrity failure—automatic disqualifier.
Prepare Your Narrative: Have a brief, honest explanation ready: acknowledge the offense without making excuses, describe what you learned, and explain how you've changed. For healthcare, emphasize your commitment to patient safety and institutional integrity. Keep it concise (30-60 seconds).
Document Rehabilitation Extensively: Healthcare employers need strong evidence of rehabilitation. Gather: completion of treatment programs, educational certificates, vocational training, stable housing documentation, employment history showing reliability, community involvement, and character references from employers, probation officers, or community leaders.
Check Expungement/Sealing Eligibility: Research whether your offense qualifies for sealing or expungement in Illinois or Wisconsin. Both states have expanded clean slate provisions. Sealed records generally cannot be reported on background checks. Contact legal aid organizations for assistance.
Pass the Drug Test: Healthcare has mandatory pre-employment drug screening. Address any substance issues completely before applying. A failed drug test terminates candidacy. The healthcare environment requires absolute drug-free workplace compliance.
Tips for Applicants with Records
Healthcare Has Constant Hiring Needs: Large health systems like Advocate Aurora Health have ongoing staffing needs, particularly in support services. EVS and Food Services experience turnover and are consistently hiring. Don't be discouraged by individual rejections—apply to multiple facilities.
Support Services Are Legitimate Career Paths: Environmental Services and Food Services provide stable employment with competitive pay ($18+/hr), benefits, and advancement opportunities. Many supervisors and managers started in entry-level positions. Building a track record opens doors.
Understand the OIG Exclusion Reality: OIG exclusion is a permanent federal bar from healthcare employment. If you have healthcare fraud, patient abuse, or related felony convictions, verify your OIG status before investing time in healthcare applications. If excluded, you may petition for reinstatement, but approval is rare and takes years.
Run Your Own Background Check First: Know exactly what will appear before the employer sees it. Order your own criminal background check from a consumer reporting agency. Dispute any errors or outdated information in advance. Check your OIG exclusion status.
Emphasize Patient Safety Commitment: Healthcare employers prioritize patient safety above all else. When discussing your background, demonstrate understanding of why healthcare has strict requirements and your personal commitment to maintaining a safe care environment.
Highlight Reliability and Stability: Emphasize stable housing, reliable transportation, and any consistent work history. Healthcare facilities operate 24/7 and need dependable staff. Evidence of stability is particularly important for second chance candidates.
Be Flexible on Scheduling: Willingness to work evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts significantly increases your chances. Support services need coverage around the clock. Many positions offer shift differentials for nights and weekends.
Consider Healthcare Pathway Programs: Advocate Aurora Health offers tuition assistance. Starting in support services can be a pathway to clinical roles if you can obtain necessary certifications. Build your record, demonstrate reliability, then pursue credentials.
Benefits Overview
Advocate Aurora Health offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Benefits eligibility typically requires meeting minimum hours thresholds. The company raised its minimum wage to $18/hr in 2021, directly benefiting food service and environmental services employees.
Compensation: Entry-level support services start at $18+/hr. Annual merit raises based on performance reviews (typically 1.3-2% according to employee reports). Shift differentials available for evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Overtime paid at time and a half.
401(k) and Retirement: 401(k) with employer match: 3% match in first year, increasing to 6% in subsequent years according to employee reports. Vesting schedule applies.
Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance available for eligible employees. Multiple plan options. Employee reports vary on affordability—some report good benefits at low cost, others note recent changes to plans. Coverage for family members available.
Time Off: Paid time off (PTO) accrual that employees generally rate positively. Paid sick leave. Paid holidays for designated holidays.
Additional Benefits: Tuition assistance for continuing education and healthcare credentials. Employee assistance program (EAP). Adoption assistance. Life insurance. Disability coverage. Wellness programs. Discount programs.
Employee Perspectives
Pros: Good benefits package, competitive pay for healthcare, good PTO accrual, tuition assistance valued, supportive coworkers in many departments, stable employment, flexible scheduling options.
Cons: Annual raises can be low (1.3-2%), management quality varies significantly by department, health insurance costs increased after merger, some departments understaffed, internal mobility can be difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Advocate Aurora Health hire people with felonies?
Conditionally yes. Advocate Aurora Health can hire individuals with felony convictions for certain positions, primarily in support services like Environmental Services (EVS), Food Services, Laundry, and Facilities. The company maintains hiring programs for second chance candidates. However, healthcare employment has critical limitations: anyone on the OIG Exclusion List is permanently barred from healthcare employment. Patient-facing clinical positions have the highest barriers due to safety mandates. Success depends on offense type (not OIG-related), time elapsed, target position (support services vs. clinical), and demonstration of rehabilitation.
What is the background check process at Advocate Aurora Health?
Advocate Aurora Health conducts comprehensive background checks after extending a conditional job offer, consistent with Illinois and Wisconsin fair chance laws. The check includes: national criminal search, county criminal search for addresses over 7 years, federal criminal records, mandatory OIG/SAM exclusion list screening (immediate), sex offender registry, SSN trace and identity verification, employment verification, education/credential verification for licensed positions, and mandatory drug screening. Results are reviewed using individualized assessment for non-OIG offenses. If issues arise, you receive pre-adverse action notice with time to respond before final decision.
How far back does the background check go at Advocate Aurora Health—what is the lookback period?
Standard criminal history lookback is 7 years under FCRA guidelines. CRITICAL EXCEPTION: OIG/SAM exclusion has NO time limit—it is a permanent bar that never expires unless formally reinstated through federal petition process (rare). For professional licensing (nursing, pharmacy, etc.), state licensing boards may consider lifetime criminal history. Illinois and Wisconsin state laws provide protections requiring 'substantial relationship' between conviction and job duties for non-OIG offenses. Employment verification typically covers 5-7 years.
What types of convictions make hiring more difficult at Advocate Aurora Health?
Automatic bars: OIG exclusion (healthcare fraud, patient abuse, Medicare/Medicaid offenses); failed drug test; dishonesty. Most difficult: patient abuse, neglect, or exploitation; sexual offenses; violent crimes; healthcare/Medicare fraud; drug trafficking; recent convictions (3-5 years). Moderately difficult: theft/fraud for financial-access positions; drug offenses for positions near controlled substances. Less difficult: older non-violent convictions (7+ years) with rehabilitation evidence; simple possession charges (though drug screening applies); DUI for non-driving roles; property crimes without violence and with significant time elapsed.
What are the best entry-level roles at Advocate Aurora Health for applicants with a record?
Best opportunities are in support services: Environmental Services (EVS) at $18-$22/hr—hospital cleaning with minimal patient contact; Food Service Worker at $18-$21/hr—dietary and cafeteria operations; Laundry/Linen Services at $18-$20/hr—processing hospital linens with no patient contact; Facilities/Maintenance at $19-$28/hr—building maintenance (some roles may require trade certifications). These positions have lower barriers because they involve minimal direct patient contact, no controlled substance access, and don't require professional licensing that triggers additional background scrutiny.
Does Advocate Aurora Health drug test, and what kind of test do they use?
Yes, Advocate Aurora Health requires mandatory pre-employment drug screening for all positions. Healthcare facilities must maintain drug-free workplaces due to patient safety requirements and access to controlled substances. The test is typically a urine-based screening panel. A positive drug test result immediately terminates candidacy. Address any substance issues completely before applying. Illinois has some restrictions on THC testing for certain positions, but healthcare exemptions often apply. When in doubt, assume testing will occur and prepare accordingly.
When during the hiring process will Advocate Aurora Health ask about criminal history?
Under Illinois' Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act (applicable to employers with 15+ employees), criminal history questions cannot be asked until after the applicant has been determined qualified and notified of interview selection, or after a conditional offer if no interview occurs. Wisconsin similarly prohibits consideration of convictions unless 'substantially related' to the job. You will NOT see criminal history questions on the initial application. Criminal history discussion occurs after conditional offer when background check is initiated.
Can someone advance to management at Advocate Aurora Health if they have a felony?
Yes, advancement is possible, particularly in support services departments (EVS, Food Services, Facilities). Many supervisors and managers started in entry-level positions. Keys to advancement: demonstrate consistent reliability and performance; build strong relationships with supervisors; express interest in growth opportunities; take advantage of training programs; maintain clean conduct since hire. Advancing to clinical management positions would require additional credentials and face heightened scrutiny. Building a multi-year track record of trustworthiness is essential.
How long does the hiring and background check process take at Advocate Aurora Health?
The total hiring process typically takes 2-4 weeks from application to start date. Application review and initial screening: 3-7 days. Interviews may be conducted within 1-2 weeks. After conditional offer, background checks typically complete within 5-10 business days. OIG exclusion check is immediate through federal database. Drug screening results typically within 2-3 days. Some positions may require additional credential verification that extends timeline. High-need positions in support services may have faster turnaround.
What can applicants do to improve their chances of getting hired at Advocate Aurora Health?
Key strategies:
(1) Verify you are NOT on the OIG Exclusion List before applying;
(2) Target support services positions (EVS, Food Services, Facilities) rather than clinical roles;
(3) Apply to multiple facilities across the system;
(4) Prepare comprehensive rehabilitation documentation;
(5) Be completely honest—dishonesty is automatic disqualification;
(6) Emphasize patient safety commitment and understanding of healthcare's strict requirements;
(7) Demonstrate stability (housing, transportation, work history);
(8) Be flexible on scheduling including nights, weekends, holidays;
(9) Address any substance issues completely before applying;
(10) Research expungement eligibility.
Alternative Second Chance Employers
If Advocate Aurora Health doesn't work out, consider these employers known for fair chance hiring practices in healthcare and related industries. Note: All healthcare employers must conduct OIG exclusion checks—this is a federal requirement, not employer-specific.
Employer | Industry/Type | Notes |
Ascension Health | Healthcare | Large Catholic health system with Illinois/Wisconsin presence. Similar support services opportunities. |
Northwestern Medicine | Healthcare | Major Chicago-area health system. Support services and facilities positions available. |
Froedtert Health | Healthcare | Milwaukee-based health system. Individualized assessment for support positions. |
Compass Group/Morrison | Food Services | Hospital food service contractor. Fair Chance Business Pledge signer. Case-by-case assessment. |
Sodexo | Food/Facilities | Major hospital services contractor. Food services and EVS positions. Second chance friendly. |
ABM Industries | Facilities | Facilities services contractor including hospitals. Janitorial, maintenance positions. Case-by-case. |
CVS Health | Pharmacy/Retail | Fair Chance Business Pledge signer. Distribution and retail positions. Pharmacy roles have higher barriers. |
Conclusion
Advocate Aurora Health offers conditional opportunities for individuals with criminal records, with the best prospects in support services positions such as Environmental Services, Food Services, and Facilities. As one of the largest non-profit health systems in the Midwest with approximately 75,000 employees across Illinois and Wisconsin, the organization provides realistic pathways to stable employment for those who can clear the heightened healthcare screening requirements.
The most critical barrier is the OIG Exclusion List—a permanent federal bar that applies to anyone with healthcare fraud, patient abuse, or related felony convictions. This is non-negotiable and must be verified before applying. For those not on the OIG list, opportunities exist in support services with competitive pay ($18+/hr starting) and comprehensive benefits including health insurance, 401(k), tuition assistance, and PTO.
Key Success Factors: Verify OIG exclusion status before applying (permanent bar if listed); target support services rather than clinical positions; pass mandatory drug screening; prepare extensive rehabilitation documentation; demonstrate commitment to patient safety; be completely honest throughout the process; leverage Illinois and Wisconsin fair chance protections.
Biggest Barriers: OIG exclusion (automatic permanent disqualification); patient abuse/violence convictions (patient safety mandate); sexual offenses (vulnerable population protection); healthcare fraud (integrity requirements); failed drug test (drug-free workplace); dishonesty during application (integrity failure); recent convictions of any type (heightened scrutiny).
Healthcare employment has stricter requirements than most industries, but support services offer genuine second chance pathways. If you can clear the OIG check, pass drug screening, and demonstrate rehabilitation, Advocate Aurora Health's commitment to second chance hiring can provide stable employment with meaningful advancement opportunities.
Disclaimer
This guide provides general information and should not be considered legal advice. Hiring policies vary by position, location, and individual circumstances. Healthcare employment is subject to federal regulations including OIG exclusion requirements that supersede general employment law. While we strive for accuracy using publicly available sources including company websites, job postings, employee reviews (Glassdoor, Indeed), and salary databases, employment information and company policies may change without notice. Always verify current practices directly with Advocate Aurora Health.
Inclusion in this guide does not guarantee employment. Background check laws, OIG exclusion requirements, expungement procedures, and fair chance hiring requirements vary by state and should be confirmed with legal professionals. Consult with an employment attorney or legal aid organization for specific legal advice about your situation.
Apply Now: https://www.advocateaurorahealth.org/careers

Does Advocate Aurora Health Hire Felons in 2026?
Everything You Need to Know
Last Updated: January 2026
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