You are going to have to have your paycheck directly deposited to get a 'free' checking account.
And 99 time out of 100 free isn't free, read the contract, some banks offer 'free' for a limited time, some banks will gaff you for 12.95 for printed checks even though the checking account is 'free'.
Banks are evil, but a necessary evil, having said all that, Chase is probably your best bet, run, do not walk away from Bank of America, they are bottom feeders.
Also look into credit unions, they are less sleazy than banks, when I was with the local 1199, they had a very good credit union.