Some experts claim that there’s no connection between poor credit history and poor job performance. That doesn’t stop employers from evaluating applicants based on their credit reports. The governor of Illinois signed a law this week prohibiting employers from hiring on the basis of credit checks…but there are some pretty big exceptions.

Employers can conduct background checks of all prospective employees, but only check the consumer credit of people applying for or eligible for promotion to certain types of positions. Those exceptions are:

Under the new law, employers may access credit checks under limited circumstances, including positions that involve: bonding or security per state or federal law; unsupervised access to more than $2,500; signatory power over businesses assets of more than $100; management and control of the business; access to personal, financial or confidential information, trade secrets, or state or national security information.

In other words, pretty much the same circumstances under which a company would bother to get a prospective employee’s credit report. But it’s the thought that counts, Illinois.

Governor Quinn Signs Law to End Pre-Employment Credit Checks [Press Release] (Thanks, haggis for the soul!)

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