Private Investigator FAQ — P.I. Radames | Chicago, IL

Question 1

How much does a private investigator cost in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Most private investigators in Chicago charge between $75 and $200 per hour, depending on experience and the complexity of the case. P.I. Radames charges a flat $75/hour — all-inclusive, with no hidden fees for mileage, equipment, or documentation. A 4-hour minimum applies per engagement, so most cases start at $300.

Question 2

Is hiring a private investigator legal in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hiring a licensed private investigator is completely legal in Illinois. Illinois requires all PIs to hold a state-issued license (Illinois Private Detective Act, 225 ILCS 447). P.I. Radames holds Illinois PI License No. 115-002640. Licensed PIs operate within the law — we gather evidence through legal means only, including surveillance in public spaces, database searches, and interviews.

Question 3

What should I look for when hiring a PI near me?

Accepted Answer

Look for a valid Illinois PI license (verifiable through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation), real law enforcement or investigative experience, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and a PI who works your case personally rather than handing it off to a subcontractor. P.I. Radames meets all of these — with 20+ years of experience spanning military service, corrections, law enforcement, and private investigations.

Question 4

How do I know if I need a private investigator?

Accepted Answer

If you need documented, legally admissible evidence — for a divorce, custody case, insurance claim, fraud investigation, or personal peace of mind — a licensed PI is the right call. If you're dealing with suspected infidelity, a dishonest business partner, an insurance fraud situation, or need to locate someone, those are all cases where a PI can help. Your first consultation is free — call or message and describe your situation.

Question 5

Can a private investigator catch a cheating spouse in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Surveillance is one of the most common and effective services a PI provides. I conduct covert mobile and stationary surveillance to document a partner's activities — including location patterns, meetings, and photographic or video evidence. All surveillance is conducted legally, in public spaces or from public vantage points, and the resulting evidence is admissible in Illinois divorce and custody proceedings.

Question 6

Will my spouse know they're being investigated?

Accepted Answer

No. Discretion is the foundation of every case I take. I use unmarked vehicles, professional surveillance equipment, and covert techniques developed over 20+ years of investigative work. Your identity and the existence of the investigation are never disclosed.

Question 7

Can surveillance evidence be used in a divorce case in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Evidence gathered by a licensed PI through legal surveillance is admissible in Illinois family court proceedings, including divorce and custody cases. I provide a detailed written report and photographic or video documentation that meets evidentiary standards. I can also work directly with your attorney.

Question 8

Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on someone's car in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

No — not without their consent. Under the Unauthorized Tracking Device Act (720 ILCS 5/21-2.5), secretly placing a GPS device, AirTag, or any electronic tracker on a vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Being married to the person does not create an exception. The only narrow exception involves the sole registered owner or lessee of a vehicle — but even then, the conduct can still trigger Illinois Stalking (720 ILCS 5/12-7.3) or Cyberstalking (720 ILCS 5/12-7.5) charges if it causes fear or emotional distress, which is a Class 4 felony. If you need location evidence, a licensed PI can gather it legally through LPR data and field surveillance — without touching anyone's vehicle.

Question 9

Can GPS evidence from a hidden tracker be used in an Illinois divorce case?

Accepted Answer

Generally no — and attempting to use it can backfire badly. Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, so proving infidelity rarely affects the outcome anyway. More importantly, evidence gathered through an illegally placed tracker is subject to exclusion, and courts routinely sanction the party who obtained it. The conduct itself can be used against you in the proceeding. A licensed PI can gather legally admissible location evidence through LPR data and surveillance — without the criminal and civil exposure that comes with placing a hidden device.

Question 10

Can you use vehicle location data to prove cohabitation for an alimony case?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and this is one of the most effective tools available for alimony cohabitation investigations. Using nationwide license plate recognition (LPR) data through IRBsearch, I can produce time- and date-stamped vehicle sighting reports that document where a subject's vehicle has been seen. If a former spouse is cohabitating with a new partner, consistent vehicle sightings at a shared address can serve as powerful corroborating evidence alongside field surveillance. These reports are generated through a professional investigative database and are suitable for use in legal proceedings. Call for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Question 11

Can a PI investigate cryptocurrency fraud?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and most PIs can't. I have completed multiple professional courses in cryptocurrency forensic investigation and blockchain tracing, and I have been an active cryptocurrency user since 2017. That combination of formal coursework and years of hands-on experience with wallets, exchanges, and transactions gives me a practical understanding of how digital asset fraud is committed and how it is uncovered. If you have been the victim of a crypto scam, investment fraud, or digital asset theft, I can help build a documented case that supports legal action.

Question 12

How thorough is a PI background check compared to an online service?

Accepted Answer

Significantly more thorough. Online background check services pull from limited public databases and often return outdated or incomplete information. A PI-conducted background check goes deeper — including court records, address history, employment verification, associate networks, and in-person field work when needed. If you're vetting a business partner, potential employee, or someone you've met online, a professional check is worth it.

Question 13

Can you investigate workers' compensation fraud in Illinois?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Workers' comp fraud investigations are one of the most common surveillance cases I handle. I document the subject's physical activities through covert video and photographic surveillance, producing evidence that insurance companies and attorneys can use to challenge fraudulent claims.

Question 14

How does the process work when I hire P.I. Radames?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a free, confidential consultation — by phone or message. You describe your situation, I explain what I can do and what it will cost. If you decide to move forward, we agree on the scope of work, I begin the investigation, and I keep you updated throughout. At the end, you receive a detailed written report with all findings and evidence.

Question 15

Is my consultation confidential?

Accepted Answer

Completely. Everything you share with me — your name, your situation, the details of your case — is held in strict confidence. I don't share client information with anyone. Your consultation is private from the first call.

Question 16

Do you work cases outside of Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While I'm based in Chicago and serve all of Cook County and the surrounding suburbs — including DuPage, Lake, and Will counties — I can travel for cases that require it. Call or message to discuss your location and I'll let you know what's possible.

Question 17

Are your comprehensive background reports FCRA consumer reports?

Accepted Answer

No. Reports produced by P.I. Radames are investigative work product — not consumer reports as defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681. This means they cannot be used to determine an individual's eligibility for employment, housing, credit, or insurance. They are compiled for lawful investigative purposes only: litigation support, fraud mitigation, skip tracing, or personal due diligence. Before any background investigation begins, clients must certify their lawful purpose in writing as part of the Client Services Agreement.

Question 18

What can I legally use a comprehensive background report for?

Accepted Answer

Lawful uses include: (1) Litigation support — in connection with actual, pending, or anticipated legal proceedings; (2) Corporate due diligence — investigating potential fraud, asset misappropriation, or breach of fiduciary duty; (3) Skip tracing — locating a witness or subject for service of process or enforcement of a civil court judgment (not consumer debt collection); and (4) Personal safety — verifying the identity or background of someone for your own security or domestic due diligence. You may not use the report for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or insurance underwriting — those require a licensed Consumer Reporting Agency under the FCRA.

Question 19

What information is included in a comprehensive background report?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the scope of the engagement, a background investigation may include: criminal history and court records (federal, state, and county); identity verification and address history; employment history verification; civil litigation records; bankruptcy and lien records; professional license verification; social media and open-source intelligence (OSINT); and asset searches. Every report is a written investigative work product — not an automated database pull. I personally review and analyze the findings before delivering a documented report. The flat rate for a comprehensive background report is $150, paid in full before work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hiring a PI

Infidelity & Surveillance

Fraud & Background Checks

Process & Confidentiality

Comprehensive Background Reports

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