The state of Illinois is attempting to make it easier for people with criminal records to get a job in the healthcare industry after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a new measure Wednesday.
In Illinois, ex-offenders with certain convictions can’t work in a healthcare setting without being granted a healthcare worker waiver. Senate Bill 1965, which is effective immediately, streamlines the waiver application process for people with disqualifying convictions. It also allows eligible organizations to initiative fingerprint-based background checks and obtain waivers before receiving a job offer, according to the governor’s office.
“The applicants will continue to be held to the same standards without compromising the safety of our residents, so we had no issue with the bill ,” Ashley Snavely, legislative director for the Illinois Health Care Association, told McKnight’s.
“It has been hard for centers to find employees within the profession due to the increasing shortage of direct care staff across the state. This bill would streamline and reduce the timeframe it would take for employers to have to initiate the process, allowing the applicants to be considered and employed in a more timely manner.”
