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Illinois Public Records

Illinois public records are any form of writing, reports, letters, forms, papers, maps, photographs, tapes, electronic data, and other similar materials prepared, used, received, and owned by the state. 

How to Find Illinois Public Records

To find public records in Illinois, you may perform quick searches online or submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request outlining the details of the records you need, the reason for your request, and your personal information. However, private sources can also provide access when the records are available.

Are Illinois Public Records Available Online?

Illinois public records are available online through the help of quick searches. Otherwise, it would be best to go to the public agency which holds the document you need and make your record request in person or through the mail.

What Records are Not Available in Illinois?

All public records are available in Illinois for public scrutiny and inspection except those exempted by state laws like law enforcement database file, personal information, active administrative enforcement proceedings, and any other information that may endanger the safety of an individual or the state.

Types of Public Records Available in Illinois

Illinois has the following types of public records available to the public. 

Illinois Public Criminal Records

The court of Illinois has a database for all 102 counties in the state where you can see case information, including criminal records that are open to the public. 

To search, you must be a registered user and log in with your eFileIL account to access the court’s public records repository. All searches made through re:SearchIL are free.


Police Departments and Sheriffe Office in Illinois :

Cook County Sheriff's Office3026 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL
DuPage County Sheriff's Office501 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL
Lake County Sheriff's Office25 S Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, IL
Will County Sheriff's Office16911 W Laraway Rd, Joliet, IL
Kane County Sheriff's Office37W755 Illinois Route 38, St. Charles, IL
McHenry County Sheriff's Office2200 N. Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL
Winnebago County Sheriff's Office650 W State St, Rockford, IL
Madison County Sheriff's Office405 Randle St, Edwardsville, IL
Champaign County Sheriff's Office204 East Main Street, Urbana, IL
Sangamon County Sheriff's Office1 Sheriff's Plaza, Springfield, IL

Arrest Records and Warrants

Like the state’s public criminal records, you can access arrest records and warrants in Illinois through the re:SearchIL website. The Illinois Department of Corrections also has a database for fugitive warrants in the state.

Inmate and Jail Records

The Illinois Department of Corrections has an online search database where you can look up inmate information using their last name, IDOC number, or birthdate. 


Jails and Prisons in Illinois :

Chicago MCC 71 WEST VAN BUREN STREET, CHICAGO, IL
Chicago RRM 200 W. ADAMS ST, RM 2915, CHICAGO, IL
North Lawndale Adult Transition Center2839 West Fillmore, Chicago, IL
Cook County Department of Corrections (Cook County Jail)2700 South California Avenue, Chicago, IL
Crossroads Adult Transition Center3210 West Arthington, Chicago, IL
DuPage County IL Jail501 North County Farm Road, PO Box 957, Wheaton, IL
Lake County IL Jail - Robert Babcox Justice Center20 South County Street, PO Box 38, Waukegan, IL
Lake County IL Juvenile Detention25467 North Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills, IL
Northern Reception and Classification Center16830 So. Broadway Street, P.O. Box 112, Joliet, IL
Stateville Correctional Center16830 So. Broadway St., P.O. Box 112, Joliet, IL

Illinois Background Checks

The Illinois State Police, together with the Bureau of Identification, handles all background checks in the state. Under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA), criminal history records are available to the public from July 1, 1991, including conviction information. 

You can use the Criminal History Information Response Process (CHIRP) for name-based background checks. For a more background check, fingerprint transactions are recommended, especially for licensing or statutorily requirements for employment.  

How to Find Sex Offenders in Idaho

The Illinois Department of Corrections has a comprehensive database for offender searches in the state, including a sex offender registry maintained and updated daily by the Illinois State Police and a parolee sex registrant search. To find sex offenders in the state, you can perform searches based on any combination of the following information: name, city, county, zip code, and compliance status.

Illinois Public Vital Records 

The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records is the primary repository of public vital records in the state, including birth, death, and other records like marriage, civil union, and dissolution of marriage records.

Birth records in Illinois are not public records, so only the person and parents named on the record can receive certified copies of such a record. Legal guardians or representatives can also obtain copies of birth records provided they have written evidence as proof of their guardianship. You may order a birth record by mail, fax, in person, or online.

Like birth records, death records are not public and can only be issued to the relative of the deceased. 

Marriage and divorce records are only available at the county clerk where the marriage occurred or where the divorce was finalized. A fee of $5.00 applies when you are simply verifying a marriage. 

You may also obtain civil union and dissolution of marriage records through the county clerks

Below are the forms you need when requesting public vital records in Illinois. Each document also details the fees you have to pay with each record request.

Illinois Court Records 

The re:SearchIL facility of the state of Illinois is a free online service that you can use to search for court records across all 102 counties in the state. All you have to do is an eFileIL account to access the site and search court records for free. 

However, the following records is not available online and can only be accessed by going to the clerk of court to request the record in person.

  • Adoption records
  • Mental health records
  • Juvenile records
  • Records of abuse, delinquency, and neglect
  • Proposed orders 

State Court System in Illinois

The state court system in Illinois has three tiers: the Supreme Court as the highest court, the Appellate Court with five judicial districts, and the Circuit Courts with 23 judicial circuits, also known as the state’s trial courts.


Courts in Illinois :

Cook County Circuit Court50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL
DuPage County Circuit Court505 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL
Lake County Circuit Court18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL
Will County Circuit Court14 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL
Kane County Circuit Court540 Randall Rd, St, Charles, IL
McHenry County Circuit Court2200 North Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL
Winnebago County Circuit Court400 West State Street, Rockford, IL
Madison County Circuit Court155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, IL
Champaign County Circuit Court101 East Main Street, Urbana, IL
Sangamon County Circuit Court200 South 9th Street, Springfield, IL

Driving Records

The best way to get your driving records in Illinois is through the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. You can purchase your driving records using the Driving Record Abstract and pay the $12.00 fee plus an additional $1.00 processor fee for credit or debit card payments. Once you make a payment, you have five (5) days from the date of purchase to print your driving records. 

Civil Driving Infractions

In Illinois, civil driving infractions are either assigned points, immediate action or considered non-point, which may account for a serious offense.

Instead of a certain number of points, three or more offenses within 12 months can result in the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. For drivers under 21, license suspension or revocation can happen when you commit two or more offenses within 24 months. 

The following are some of the most common traffic violations in Illinois and their corresponding points:

  • Speeding - 10 points
  • Running a red light - 20 points
  • Reckless driving - 55 points to non-point if it resulted in homicide
  • Failure to provide proof of insurance - non-point
  • Disobeying the Child Passenger Safety Act - non-point
  • Eluding law enforcement - non-point
  • Failing to wear a seatbelt while driving - non-point
  • Drag or street racing - non-point
  • DUI - non-point

Illinois License Plate Lookup

The state of Illinois has no available system where you can look up a license plate online, although you may use other third-party sites that offer such a service.

Illinois Property and Asset Records Online 

Property and asset records search in Illinois are available online by county. 

Idaho Unclaimed Property and Assets

The Illinois State Treasurer has a page where you can search for unclaimed property and assets and file a claim if you can prove that you are the rightful owner or heir. 

Important Government Agencies in Illinois

Below is the list of government agencies to help you find public records in Illinois.

  1. Secretary of State
  2. Governor’s Office
  3. Legislative Office
  4. Office of the Illinois Courts
  5. Department of Corrections
  6. State Police
  7. Department of Public Health
  8. County Clerks Directory
  9. Secretary of State
  10. State Treasurer

Counties in Illinois


Other Records in Illinois