E-Verify Mandates: Chicago vs Evanston
How do e-verify mandates rules compare between Chicago, IL and Evanston, IL?
Chicago and Evanston have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Federal law mandates E-Verify only for federal contractors. Illinois has no statewide E-Verify mandate, and Chicago has not adopted a city requirement, so private employers may use it voluntarily.
View full Chicago rules →Evanston, IL
Cook County
Illinois has no E-Verify mandate for private employers and actually restricts mandatory enrollment under the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act. Cook County imposes no additional E-Verify requirement.
View full Evanston rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Evanston |
|---|---|---|
| Federal mandate | Federal contractors only | - |
| Illinois statute | 820 ILCS 55 (Privacy Act) | - |
| Chicago city mandate | None enacted | - |
| Voluntary use | Allowed for any employer | - |
| Worker notice | Required for non-confirmations | - |
| Illinois mandate | - | None for private employers |
| State law | - | 820 ILCS 55 privacy protections |
| Cook County mandate | - | None |
| Federal contractors | - | Required by FAR rule |
| Penalty for misuse | - | Up to $1,000 per violation |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Does Chicago require employers to use E-Verify?
No. Neither Illinois nor Chicago imposes an E-Verify mandate on private employers. Federal contractors must enroll under federal rules, but no city ordinance applies.
Can my Chicago employer use E-Verify voluntarily?
Yes. Any Illinois employer may enroll through USCIS but must follow 820 ILCS 55 notice procedures, give workers a chance to contest mismatches, and apply rules consistently.
Evanston FAQ
Can my Cook County employer require E-Verify?
Voluntarily yes, but they must follow Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act notice and consent procedures. They cannot use E-Verify to selectively screen workers based on national origin or ethnicity.
Are county vendors required to use E-Verify?
Only when federal funds trigger the FAR E-Verify clause. Cook County procurement does not impose a stand-alone E-Verify requirement beyond what federal contracting law requires for the specific funding source.
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