A DUI/DWI conviction will appear on a criminal background check requested by a prospective employer and may adversely affect employment opportunities in some professions, industries, and occupations—especially jobs (1) for which a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required, (2) for which a person must operate heavy equipment or machinery, or (3) in which a person is entrusted with ensuring the safety of others (air traffic controller, police officer) or safeguarding sensitive information or data. Generally, the only way to remove a DUI/DWI conviction from appearing in some or all of such background checks is to have it expunged or sealed—which is only possible in limited circumstances.

In states in which employment is at-will an employer may terminate an employee for a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction. If the employee has a written employment contract there may be limitations on the grounds on which the employee may be terminated, and a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction may fall within those grounds of termination for cause—in other words, termination for an identified reason, and not for no reason, which is permissible under employment at will.

In Illinois, a DUI/DWI conviction does indeed appear on a criminal background check and can negatively impact employment opportunities, particularly for jobs that require a commercial driver's license (CDL), involve operating heavy machinery, or entail a high degree of responsibility for public safety or sensitive information. Illinois is an at-will employment state, meaning employers can terminate employees for any legal reason, including a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction. However, if an employee has a written contract, the terms of the contract may limit the reasons for termination, and a DUI/DWI could potentially be a cause for termination if specified. Expungement or sealing of a DUI/DWI record in Illinois is possible but subject to strict eligibility criteria, such as not having any other conviction on record and waiting a certain period after the legal proceedings have concluded. It's important to note that DUI convictions are not eligible for expungement or sealing in Illinois, so they remain part of the public record and can continue to affect employment prospects.