What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Criminal Background Checks Under the School Code

The criminal background check requirements under Section 21.9 of the Illinois School Code frequently raise questions and concerns by school administrators. Questions often focus on the process for conducting criminal background checks for non‐district employee independent contractors, such as food service workers, custodians, school bus drivers, and other non-employee independent contractors who have “direct, daily contact” with students. The challenge is ensuring proper background checks on individuals who are not school district employees…