Felon Friendly Jobs in Chicago, IL

Looking for felon friendly jobs in Chicago? Chicago's economy is anchored by professional and business services, its largest sector, and education and health services, which recently added the most jobs. Manufacturing has also grown, led by transportation equipment and food manufacturing. Illinois gives people with records some of the strongest hiring protections in the Midwest at both the state and city level. Hiring decisions are made case by case, so always check the current job posting for the role and location you want. Last reviewed November 2026.

Employers hiring in the Chicago area

Large Chicago-area employers include Advocate Health Care, Amazon and Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. Companies such as McDonald's and United Airlines are headquartered in Chicago. The national employers below hire across the metro; start with our guides, then search each careers site for openings near you.

• UPS hiring guide

• FedEx hiring guide

• Amazon Fulfillment Centers hiring guide

• DHL Supply Chain hiring guide

• Home Depot hiring guide

• Lowe's hiring guide

• Walmart hiring guide

• Target hiring guide

• McDonald's hiring guide

• Wendy's hiring guide

• Starbucks hiring guide

• Aramark hiring guide

Browse all 370+ employer guides

Free job and reentry help in Chicago

• Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership: Runs the region's American Job Center network with career coaching, job search and resume help, skills training and supportive services. Its Road Home program offers reentry navigation, training and paid work experience. Call 708-580-8686.

• Safer Foundation: Helps people with arrest and conviction records with job placement, training and education, resume and interview prep, and support after they're hired. Call 312-922-2200.

• North Lawndale Employment Network: U-Turn Permitted: A 10-day job readiness program open regardless of criminal legal involvement, with resume and interview help, digital skills, reentry support, financial coaching and job referrals. Call 773-638-1825.

• IDES Re-Entry Employment Service Program: The Illinois Department of Employment Security program for people with justice involvement, with free job search through IllinoisJobLink.com and job readiness help at IDES offices.

• CTA Second Chance: A Chicago Transit Authority program that provides job skills, training, mentoring and career opportunities to Chicago residents facing barriers to re-entering the workforce.

• Cabrini Green Legal Aid: Criminal Records Relief: Helps clients clear or reduce the impact of criminal records through expungement and sealing petitions, pardons, certificates and waivers. Call 312-738-2452.

Clearing your record in Illinois

Illinois has two kinds of record relief:

• Expungement destroys the record. Sealing hides it from most of the public, though law enforcement and employers who run fingerprint background checks can still see it. Most convictions can only be sealed, not expunged.

• Sealing waiting periods count from the end of your last sentence: 2 years for misdemeanors, ordinance violations, supervision and qualified probation; 3 years for other felony convictions. Since June 1, 2026, under the Clean Slate Act, having another felony conviction no longer automatically stops you from sealing a felony.

• Expungement is generally for arrests and charges that didn't end in a conviction (no waiting period for dismissals or acquittals), successfully completed supervision or qualified probation, and convictions that were reversed, vacated or pardoned. Not sealable: DUI, domestic battery, most sex offenses and animal cruelty offenses.

• Automatic sealing under the Clean Slate Act is expected to begin around 2029; until then you must file a petition. For free help, contact Cabrini Green Legal Aid (312-738-2452) or use the guides at illinoislegalaid.org.

Your rights when applying in Chicago

• Statewide ban the box: under the Illinois Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act, private employers with 15 or more employees can't ask about criminal records until you've been chosen for an interview, or until after a conditional job offer if there's no interview. Some jobs restricted by federal or state law are exceptions.

• The Illinois Human Rights Act, which covers employers with even one employee, bans blanket "no records" policies. An employer can deny a job over a conviction only if it is substantially related to the job or poses an unreasonable risk, and must send a notice and give you at least 5 business days to respond. You have 2 years to file a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

• Chicago's ordinance applies to employers of any size with a facility in the city. It requires an individualized assessment and both pre-adverse and final adverse action notices that explain your right to file with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

• Federal Bonding Program: the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) offers free fidelity bonds that protect employers who hire job seekers with records.

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit: IDES lists WOTC, a federal tax credit, as an incentive for employers who hire people with felony convictions. Note: Congress let this federal credit lapse for people hired after December 31, 2025, so check with your state workforce agency for its current status.

Next steps

• Felon friendly jobs across Illinois

• Find an expungement attorney

• Get our free weekly Next Chapter newsletter

Sources

• Illinois Legal Aid Online: expunging or sealing a criminal record

• Illinois Department of Human Rights: conviction record protections

• Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act (Public Act 098-0774)

• IDES Re-Entry Employment Service Program

This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Employer policies and laws change; confirm details with the employer or a legal aid organization before you rely on them.