To Current and Prospective Volunteers:

The IL Department of Natural Resources - Division of Special Events, Programs and Promotions manages the Volunteer Network Program. The Volunteer Program Manager will manage and evaluate the criminal background check process, update policies and procedures and maintain all records. IDNR is responsible for providing a safe environment for our volunteers, visitors and staff. To insure this, as part of the volunteer application procedure, IDNR will conduct criminal background checks on selected and new prospective volunteers beginning 1/21/2010.

In doing this check, IDNR may use information from criminal justice, corrections or other law enforcement agencies.

You must accurately and completely disclose all conviction history on the Request for Release of Information form. This includes all felonies, misdemeanors, probation violations and failures to appear, regardless of the date of conviction. If you fail to list something, you may be disqualified. If you are not sure, you should list the offense. Be sure to list approximate date and location of each conviction listed. Describe the nature of the crime and the circumstances of when you were convicted, together with your sentence. You may attach documentation to support any information provided. Sign and date each page of the form and have a witness sign the form verifying your signature. You may want to make a copy of the form for your file.

Minor traffic violations such as parking tickets, speeding, failing to stop at a stop sign, are not required to be listed. If you are unsure if a driving offense was a violation or a criminal misdemeanor or felony, list it and we will verify it.

If you live out of the State of Illinois, you must provide criminal background check information from your home state to the Volunteer Program Manager. The information must be certified and current within one year. You can obtain your criminal background check from any local law enforcement office. You will be responsible for any costs.

A criminal background check may be repeated by IDNR at any time while you are volunteering. A new Authorization CMS-284 Form will need to be completed.

If you do not cooperate with this process, or if you provide false information you will be disqualified.

You may inspect your history by completing a “Request for Personal Background Check” at any local law enforcement agency. If you believe your history is inaccurate, incomplete or maintained in violation of any state or federal statute or regulation you can challenge the history. You will be responsible for any costs.

You must immediately notify your Volunteer Supervisor, and the Volunteer Program Manager, in writing, if you are convicted of any crime, after this process is completed.

Please be assured that provisions are in place to safeguard your privacy. In the event that your criminal background check shows a history we consider incompatible with your volunteer duties, you will be informed in writing, of the results in a timely, confidential manner.

You will be given your “Request for Release of Information” form by your Volunteer Supervisor for completion. Some volunteers may receive this form by mail. If so, be sure to follow all instructions in the enclosed letter and include the IDNR Site or Division name, or the IDNR Volunteer Supervisor’s name that is to receive the results of the background check.