Felony Friendly Jobs in Chicago, IL
Chicago is a major logistics and manufacturing hub with significant opportunities for people with records. The metro area is crisscrossed by rail lines and highways, making it one of the nation's top distribution centers. Illinois has some of the strongest ban-the-box protections in the country, and Chicago's local fair chance ordinance provides additional safeguards. The Safer Foundation, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the nation's largest and most respected reentry organizations.
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Top Employers in Chicago That Hire People With Records
These companies have locations in or near Chicago, IL and are known to consider applicants with criminal records.
Amazon hires people with felony records for most warehouse and delivery roles. Background checks are individualized.
Walmart considers applicants with records on a case-by-case basis. Violent and theft-related felonies may disqualify.
UPS hires felons for package handler roles. Driver and management positions have stricter background requirements.
FedEx Ground contractors frequently hire people with records. FedEx Express has stricter requirements.
Tyson Foods is one of the most felon-friendly large employers. Meat processing and production roles widely available.
Kroger hires people with records for many store and warehouse positions. Pharmacy roles are more restricted.
McDonald's franchise owners set their own hiring policies. Many locations do hire people with records.
Walgreens hires people with records for non-pharmacy store roles. Pharmacy positions require clean records.
Best Industries in Chicago for People With Records
- ✓Logistics & warehousing
- ✓Manufacturing
- ✓Food processing
- ✓Healthcare
- ✓Construction
Staffing Agencies in Chicago That Work With People With Records
Temp and staffing agencies are often the fastest way to get working. These agencies serve the Chicago metro area and are known to place people with criminal records.
- Manpower
- Kelly Services
- Adecco
- Express Employment Professionals
- Aerotek
Illinois Employment Laws for People With Records
Ban the Box Status
Illinois has a statewide ban-the-box law (Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act) that prohibits private employers with 15+ employees from asking about criminal history on job applications. Chicago has additional protections under its own fair chance ordinance.
Fair Chance Hiring Law
Illinois law prohibits employers with 15+ employees from inquiring about criminal records until after an interview or conditional offer. Chicago's local ordinance adds further protections, including requiring employers to provide written notice before taking adverse action based on criminal history.
Minimum Wage
$14.00/hr (Illinois state minimum — Chicago minimum is $16.20/hr)
Tips for Job Searching With a Record in Chicago
- 1.Start with staffing agencies. Temp agencies are often the fastest way to get working. They have relationships with employers who are willing to hire people with records, and a temp-to-hire position can become a permanent job.
- 2.Apply to multiple places at once. Do not wait for one application to come back before applying to the next. Apply to 5-10 places in the same week. The more applications you send, the better your chances.
- 3.Be honest about your record. If asked, be upfront. Lying about your criminal history is grounds for immediate termination if discovered later. Briefly acknowledge what happened, explain what you have learned, and focus on what you bring to the job.
- 4.Focus on industries with high demand. Warehouse, logistics, construction, and food service jobs tend to be the most accessible for people with records because these industries have chronic worker shortages.
- 5.Use local reentry programs. Organizations like Goodwill, workforce development centers, and reentry coalitions can connect you with employers who actively hire people with records. They often know about job openings before they are publicly posted.
- 6.Know your rights. Under the EEOC guidelines, employers must use individualized assessment — they cannot have a blanket ban on hiring people with records. Under the FCRA, you have the right to see and dispute your background check. If you are in a ban-the-box state or city, employers cannot ask about your record until later in the hiring process.
Reentry Employment Programs in Chicago
- Safer Foundation
- Cara Chicago
- YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
- St. Leonard's Ministries
- Illinois Department of Employment Security
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the best felony friendly jobs in Chicago?
- Chicago's strongest industries for people with records are logistics and warehousing (Amazon, UPS, FedEx), manufacturing, food processing (Tyson Foods), and construction. The city's role as a national transportation hub means constant demand for warehouse workers, drivers, and distribution center employees.
- Does Chicago have ban-the-box laws?
- Yes. Illinois has a statewide ban-the-box law that applies to private employers with 15 or more employees. Chicago has its own additional fair chance ordinance with even stronger protections, including requirements for written notice before adverse action based on criminal history.
- What staffing agencies in Chicago hire felons?
- Major staffing agencies in Chicago that work with people with records include Manpower, Kelly Services, Adecco, Express Employment Professionals, and Aerotek. The Safer Foundation, headquartered in Chicago, is one of the nation's largest reentry employment organizations and directly helps people find jobs.
- What is Chicago's minimum wage?
- Chicago's minimum wage is $16.20 per hour as of 2026, higher than the Illinois state minimum of $14.00 per hour. This makes even entry-level positions in Chicago more financially viable than in many other cities.
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