If you or someone you know has had difficulty finding employment due to a conviction record, utilizing the following information can help overcome some employment obstacles.
Research figures released in 2008 by the respected Pew Center on the States 
show that one out of 100 adults in this country is behind bars. Prohibiting this large segment of our society from becoming gainfully employed upon their release is not logical. Fortunately, this situation is beginning to be addressed. Changes in employment laws, a Re-entry Employment Service Program, and new community service organizations have made finding employment easier for ex-offenders.
Additions have been made in the types of occupational licenses available to many ex-offenders. Certificates of Relief from Disabilities also make it easier to obtain occupational licenses. The IDES information site for ex-offenders includes information about availability of occupational licenses, Certificates of Relief, Certificate of Good Conduct, and other topics of importance to ex-offenders.
A downloadable Certificate of Relief application is available at the Prisoner Review Board Site.
Information for offenders nearing their parole date concerning obtaining a Certificate of Good Conduct, (a useful tool in an employment search) is available from the Prisoner Review Board.
A downloadable Certificate of Good Conduct application is available from the Prisoner Review Board.
Employers will be more confident about hiring ex-offenders who are bonded through a Federal Fidelity Bond. A Fidelity Bond provides monetary insurance against potential financial risks of hiring ex-offenders. The Federal Bonding Program provides this insurance at no cost.
The Safer Foundation , based in Chicago, provides a wide range of services such as education and employment assistance to transitioning individuals in the Chicago and Quad Cities areas.
The Office of the State Appellate Defender site
provides an explanation of record expungement or sealing process, eligibility requirements, instruction and guides, and lists of low or no-cost attorneys throughout Illinois to assist ex-offenders with record expungement cases.
The not-for-profit Chicago Legal Clinic , with four Chicago locations, offers affordable expungement and clemency services.
Chicago workNet
offers a list of public and private partners who offer employment services to ex-offenders.
For those outside the Chicago area, please check IDES workNet office locations link to find the nearest workNet Resource Center.
North Lawndale Employment Network Resource Center
located at 3726 West Flournoy in Chicago, IL 60627, is a neighborhood center where local residents are given assistance in job preparedness skills such as letter and resume writing, interviewing skills. Assistance in using, and access to, job seeking tools such as internet, fax, photo-copy, and voicemail is available.
The Ex-Offender's Job Hunting Guide: 10 Steps to a New Life in the Work World
by Ron Krannick is a paperback manual available at Amazon.com.
Also available at Amazon.com is Best Resumes and Letters for Ex-Offenders (Overcoming Barriers to Employment Success) by Wendy S. Enlow.
From Jail to a Job
, written by Eric Mayo, covers many topics such as expunging records, which employers to approach, interview does and don’t for ex-offenders, and how to access mentors.
For ex-offenders who have cases being handled by the Illinois Department of Human Services, various job search expenses and job requirement expenses might be covered. Explanation of which expenses might be covered, such as transportation costs, some mandatory fees, special clothing, equipment or tools, and payment protocol is covered.
Check the IDES Job Fairs & Special Events calendar for events of interest to ex-offenders.