New Illinois Law Prohibits Use of Credit History in Hiring Decisions
Effective January 1, 2011, Illinois employers will have yet another restriction on their ability to make employment decisions. A new law will prohibit many employers from basing hiring, promotion, and other employment decisions on an employee or job applicant’s credit history.
The Employee Credit Privacy Act (HB 4658), which was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn yesterday, also forbids employers from inquiring about or obtaining a copy of an applicant or employee’s credit history or credit report. Illinois joins Washington, Hawaii, Oregon, and Louisiana in prohibiting the use of credit histories in employment decisions.
