Originally Posted by
philthegreek
Just be aware although bags are checked through they have to exit the US at JFK and TSA seem to need some time between flights for the bags to make it. I had a delayed arrival from MCO to JFK and about 50 minutes to make the connection. I made it but my bag appeared a day later thanks to the TSA. The same happened with a connection from SFO through Newark. I am told TSA require at least 60 minutes to clear the bags to leave the USA.
Whoever told you this fabricated it (a polite term). In this case, OP's bags will be screened at ORD and that is it. The US does not "clear" bags for departure from the US and even if it did, TSA has no involvement in that.
It is always possible that your specific bag was pulled for a reinspection as a random or intentional matter. But, that is unlikely and if it did occur, the carrier would be forbidden from telling you.