Staffing Agency in Chicago: How to Choose the Right Partner

Chicago has hundreds of staffing agencies. Some focus on office work, some on healthcare, some on IT. If you run a warehouse, plant or distribution center, you need one that understands light industrial work and the Chicagoland labor market.

This guide covers what to look for, what to ask and how to compare your options.

What a Light Industrial Staffing Agency in Chicago Does

A staffing agency recruits, screens and places workers at your company. For light industrial employers, that usually means roles like:

Warehouse associates, pickers and packers
Forklift operators
Production workers and assemblers
Machine operators
Shipping and receiving associates
Maintenance technicians and skilled trades
Supervisors and leads

Services to Look For

Temporary staffing: Workers stay on the agency’s payroll. When to use it: peak season, projects, absences.
Temp-to-hire: Start as temps, hire the ones who fit. When to use it: long-term roles.
Direct hire: Agency recruits, you hire from day one. When to use it: supervisors, skilled and key roles.
On-site programs: Agency team works at your facility. When to use it: large crews, multiple shifts.
Payrolling: You pick the worker, agency handles payroll. When to use it: rehires and referrals.

An agency that offers all of these can grow with you. You won’t need a new partner every time your needs change.

Why Local Branches Matter in Chicagoland

Chicagoland isn’t one labor market. It’s many.

Workers in Aurora and Bolingbrook may not commute to Wheeling or Gurnee.
Pay expectations can change from one suburb to the next.
Public transit access shapes who can reach your site, especially for second and third shift.
Winter weather affects attendance differently depending on the commute.

An agency with branches near your facility can recruit people who can actually get to you, every shift.

Questions to Ask Before You Choose

1. Where Are Your Branches?

Look for branches near your site, not just a downtown office.

2. How Do You Screen Candidates?

Ask how they check experience, match people to shifts and confirm reliability.

3. How Fast Can You Fill My Roles?

A good agency gives you an honest estimate based on your role, pay and shift.

4. What Happens If Someone Doesn’t Work Out?

Ask about replacement speed and who handles it.

5. Can You Handle Volume?

If you need 50 people for peak, can they deliver? Ask about recruiting capacity and on-site options.

6. What Do Your Associates Get?

Weekly pay and benefits help agencies attract and keep reliable workers.

Red Flags

No local branch near your site
Promises to fill any order by tomorrow without asking questions
No questions about safety, shifts or your site
Slow responses before you even sign

How SURESTAFF Supports Chicagoland Employers

SURESTAFF was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Itasca, Illinois. We place more than 30,000 associates to work every year through 35+ branches and on-site programs. Staffing Industry Analysts named SURESTAFF to its Largest Staffing Firms in the U.S. list in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Chicago-Area Branches

Chicago: 2086 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
Aurora: 2365 N Farnsworth Ave., Suite 109, Aurora, IL 60505
Berwyn: 6501 W. Ogden Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402
Blue Island: 12832 S. Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 60445
Bolingbrook: 231 S. Bolingbrook Dr., Unit A, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Carol Stream: 327 S. Schmale Rd., Carol Stream, IL 60188
East Dundee: 545 E. Dundee Ave., Unit C, East Dundee, IL 60118
Gurnee: 3430 Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL 60031
Hanover Park: 7300 Barrington Rd., Hanover Park, IL 60133
Melrose Park: 10753 W. Grand Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60164
Mount Prospect: 1698 S. Elmhurst Road, Suite 120, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Round Lake Beach: 625 W. Rollins Rd., Unit H, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
Wheeling: 278 McHenry Rd., Wheeling, IL 60090

Source: SURESTAFF Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Choose a Staffing Agency in Chicago?

Look for an agency with branches near your site, experience in your industry and a full range of services. Ask how they screen, how fast they fill and how they handle replacements.

How Much Does a Staffing Agency Cost in Chicago?

Pricing depends on the role, pay rate, service type and volume. Ask for a quote based on your specific needs.

Can a Staffing Agency Fill Third Shift Jobs?

Yes. Ask your agency how they recruit for overnight shifts and how commute and transit access affect the candidates they send.

What Industries Does SURESTAFF Serve?

SURESTAFF specializes in manufacturing, light industrial, skilled trades and administrative staffing.

Does SURESTAFF Offer On-Site Programs in Chicagoland?

Yes. SURESTAFF runs on-site programs at client facilities.

Talk to a Chicagoland Staffing Team

Tell us your roles, shifts and location. We’ll connect you with the branch closest to your site.

Request Talent at sure-staff.com