How to Conduct a Cook County Background Check

Michelle Wilson - October 18, 2023

Conducting a background check offers valuable information about an applicant without expending extensive time and energy. Users can perform background checks using online search options or third-party platforms. Users can enter the individual’s name into popular search engines, use the court records and archives, or register with a third-party background check platform to run the report. The report will highlight identity verification, criminal history, credit reports, employment details, and education verification.

What is the Cook County Background Check?

The Cook County Court Records and Archives is an online database for court documents. This website uses public case information for the general status of in-process and historical court cases. Remembering these details are for information only and aren’t official court records is crucial.

Details within the website are available as an electronic docket containing a summary of court documents and events for a particular case. The Supreme Court’s Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts prohibits remote access to actual case documents.

What Search Results Will Appear Through the Platform?

The online case search will highlight a few court documents should results appear under the individual’s name. These documents include:

Mortgage Foreclosure Surplus

These documents list the equity and surplus money from a property foreclosure. This information lets individuals see if the Clerk’s Office is holding money.

Unclaimed Child Support

These documents allow individuals to see if a Clerk’s Office is holding undeliverable child support checks.

Naturalization Declaration of Intention

With more than 400,000 records, the Declaration of Intention includes details of anyone trying to become a US citizen between 1906 and 1929.

Court Call

This data relates to court cases being heard today and the next five days.

County Division

Name changes, election matters, and real estate tax matters.

Probate Will

Any documents relating to Wills filed within the County of Cook, Illinois.

Probate Docket

All case files in Probate Court relating to claims against guardianships and estates.

Traffic Tickets

Any tickets and cases relating to moving violations, speeding, DUI, and suspended licenses.

Civil, Chancery, Domestic Relations, Law, and Child Support

Any case filed in the Law, Civil, Chancery, and Domestic Relations and Child Support divisions.

How to Perform a Search Using the Cook County Government Court Records and Archives Database

When performing your online search, visit the Online Case Search option under the Cook County Clerk of Court website. From there, users must select the court document they’re looking for. The search function divides all court documents into four categories. Additionally, users must enter the case number into the search bar or begin searching by name. Name search allows first and last name or company name, if applicable.

Understanding the Results

After locating the proper record, click the blue button on the left side of the results page. From there, you can scroll through the court record, including all relevant details of the offense. The results will include court and disposition codes and filing agency details.

Use the file icons on the left-hand side of your results to open a specific court file. These details will include any court information (whether current or previous), along with basic facts of the case. As these results are often basic, the included information is minimal.

What Appears on a Cook County Background Check?

If you’re using a third-party website to perform the background check, details relating to the individual will be more comprehensive and complete. A background report will often include subsections according to your ordered report. A background report will most commonly have identification verifications, credit reports, criminal history, education and employment confirmation, and motor vehicle reports.

Individuals should carefully review all details within a background report to ensure accuracy. Confirming personal information before the report is finalized is always a good idea if an employer runs a background check for employment purposes. If you find inaccurate information, contact the reporting agency immediately.

Comprehensive Details of a Background Report

As previously mentioned, a background report from a third-party company will likely include personal and identifying information. These categories may change depending on the originating company but might consist of the following sections:

Criminal History

All criminal history components will include the basic details of your history. Any previous convictions or pending cases will remain attached to the identity. Criminal background reports will consist of the criminal case number, details relating to the offense, disposition information, and sentencing details. The criminal history will not include any juvenile history or expunged records.

Personal Identity Verification

Verifying your identity helps eliminate identity theft risks and confirms all current information. Your details will include your full name, birthday, and address history. The confirmation will also verify your Social Security number.

Professional License Review

The professional license consideration will evaluate an individual’s professional accreditation, including licensing status. The verification process will determine someone’s license status, validity, license type, sanctions, expiration date, and public discipline measures.

Employment and Education Verification

Employment verification will review an individual’s previous employment for the report. All details of an individual’s work history are included in the report, including the employer’s name, position held, and dates surrounding the employment. Employment history will not include previous salaries or wages in the information.

An educational verification will assess an individual’s post-secondary education. The verification details will include the institution name, attendance dates, diplomas and certificates received, and other qualifying information.

Credit History

Your credit history is a careful evaluation of anything financial you have accumulated throughout the years. These details may include current accounts, judgments, liens, and collection activity attached to your identity. The background credit check doesn’t impact your credit score to perform.

Motor Vehicle Records

A motor vehicle check will secure data surrounding an individual’s driving record and history. The data will include an individual’s driver’s license, class details, issuance and expiration dates, and physical characteristics of the individual. Additionally, these reports will consist of any traffic violations, moving violations, suspensions, and points accumulated. Typically, this screening is helpful for anyone wanting to secure a driving position.

The Cook County Background Check Process

It’s imperative to receive proper authorization to perform a background check before running the screening, especially if you’re an employer. The FCRA requires anyone conducting a background check for professional reasons to obtain written consent before screening.

Choose the Screening Services

Always determine which screening method works best for you, depending on your needs. The free online services may offer financial benefits but pose historical gaps due to reporting fluctuations. Additionally, manually entering the details into multiple databases requires significant time.

A third-party background check website is an easier option if you want a comprehensive report. These platforms will scan through multiple databases simultaneously to complete the report instantaneously. Most reports will include the categories mentioned above, facilitating your search efforts.

Review the Information

Once you receive all the information, carefully evaluate the details. Look for derogatory marks or inaccurate data attached to your name. If you notice any discrepancies, contact the reporting agent immediately to dispute the details.

Conclusion

Performing a Cook County background check allows a few different search methods. People wanting to enter personal information into the online databases manually can complete the report, although it can take considerable time. Alternatively, registering for a third-party platform can cost money upfront but will ultimately save time.