IL SB1953

Law enforcement agencies must obtain a signed release from applicants for police officer positions requiring all previous employers to produce complete employment records, including background investigations, fitness-for-duty examinations, disciplinary records, and criminal history before making a final job offer

Previous employers must produce requested employment records within 14 days (with one 14-day extension allowed) and certify in writing that all responsive records have been provided and no negative information about the applicant's fitness for employment has been withheld

Nondisclosure, separation, or settlement agreements cannot prevent production of law enforcement personnel records, and records must be produced without redaction except for SSNs, financial account numbers, and similar identifying information

Counties with populations of at least 75,000 are now required to adopt a merit system for sheriff's personnel (previously optional for counties under 1,000,000), while counties under 75,000 may still adopt the system through ordinance or voter referendum

Law enforcement agencies and their employees receive immunity from suit or liability for releasing personnel records in good faith under this Section