If you suspect infidelity, a licensed Chicago private investigator can gather lawful, documented evidence - surveillance, background checks, and digital forensics. Verify licensing, get a written contract, confirm lawful methods and chain-of-custody practices, and prioritize discretion. Avoid illegal surveillance and consider alternatives like counseling.
When suspicion feels unavoidable
Suspecting a partner or close associate of cheating can be painful and confusing. Many people in Chicago turn to a licensed private investigator (PI) to verify facts, not to escalate conflict. A good PI focuses on evidence and discretion, helping you decide what to do next.
What a Chicago PI can do
A PI can conduct surveillance, document meetings and travel, perform background checks, and collect digital or physical evidence. Their work should result in clear, dated documentation - photographs, video, logs, or forensic reports - that you can use for personal decisions or, if needed, in legal proceedings.
PIs should follow the law while gathering information. That means no trespassing, no illegal recordings, and no hacking into private accounts. Evidence obtained unlawfully may be inadmissible and could expose both you and the investigator to legal risk.
Technology and evidence handling
Many modern firms offer digital-forensics services (for example, extracting data from a phone or preserving messages). Ask how the firm maintains chain of custody and whether they can provide a forensic report suitable for court or mediation.
Certain surveillance tools, such as attaching a GPS tracker to someone else's vehicle or intercepting communications, are restricted by state and federal law. Confirm which techniques the investigator uses and that those techniques are lawful in Illinois before work begins.
How to choose a Chicago PI
- Verify licensing and registration. Ask the investigator for their Illinois license and agency credentials, and confirm with the appropriate state regulator. 1
- Ask about experience with infidelity cases, references, and sample reports so you can judge professionalism and discretion.
- Request a written contract detailing scope, methods, deliverables, rates, retainer, and expenses.
- Confirm insurance and whether the investigator carries errors-and-omissions or general liability coverage.
- Insist on clear confidentiality policies and a plan for secure storage of sensitive material.
Practical tips before you hire
Be honest about what you want to achieve and whether you might need evidence for court, divorce, or custody. Avoid attempting illegal surveillance yourself. Consider whether mediation or relationship counseling could address concerns without an investigation.
Meeting a PI for an initial consultation and getting a written estimate helps set expectations. A professional investigator will explain methods, legal limits, and the type of proof they can realistically provide.
- Confirm current Illinois licensing authority and process for private investigators (e.g., Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or other regulator).
- Verify specific Illinois laws and restrictions on GPS trackers and electronic surveillance for private investigators and private citizens.