Start Your Records Search:

Illinois

In 1967, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was the first time the public could access records that were once kept private.

Since then, each state has created its FOIA. Each state has different rules, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.

What does the Illinois public records law say?

When you submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, government agencies have five business days to respond. Anyone from any state may request public information found in Illinois.

Submissions can be made in person, verbally, by email, or by mail. Some agencies have specific requirements. There is a detailed list of reasons for the denial, and any denials for information must cite one of those reasons.

All branches of the state government are subject to open records, but there are more than 25 categories of broad, detailed exemptions, according to the Freedom of Information Act in the Illinois Constitution.

You can contact the Illinois Secretary of State about public records laws.

How can a person access public records in Illinois?

Some records are available online for public records access in Illinois, while others might require a formal request. If a bid is necessary, it can be delivered by mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you’re accessing records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

  • Your name
  • Contact information
  • The name of the document
  • Details about the document
  • A time frame that you’d like to receive the materials by
  • Document delivery method

Illinois Criminal Records

The Illinois State Police maintains criminal records or criminal histories.

Criminal records are usually requested by employers looking to vet a new candidate. For a fee, the employer can run a background check, which looks into a person’s interactions with law enforcement and the judiciary branch.

What’s on an Illinois criminal record?

An Illinois arrest record typically features details of the alleged crimes as well as:

  • Aliases
  • Date of arrest
  • Arrest Records
  • Charges
  • Prosecution date
  • Guilty Pleas
  • Convictions
  • Felony or misdemeanor charge

Where can I find Illinois criminal records?

You will go through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Investigation to obtain a criminal record.

For a thorough report, you will need to submit fingerprints, which you can have done in person or requested by mail.

801 South 7th Street
Suite 100-M
Springfield, IL 62703

There are also name-based inquiries for quicker background checks through the Criminal History Response Process (CHIRP). You can register and link directly with CHIRP from the ISP website. While a fingerprint inquiry requires the consent of the person, a name search does not.

It costs $20 to get state records with fingerprints on paper and $15 to get them sent electronically.

Name-based inquiries are $16 for paper documents and $10 for electronic records.

Illinois Inmate Records

Illinois typically has more than 52,000 prisoners in its prison system across the state.

Accessing inmate records can provide information on who has been released and who remains behind bars.

What’s on an Illinois inmate record?

Inmate record information can be different from state to state, but Illinois records typically have both personal information and details of the person’s prison sentence.

That would include information such as:

  • Personal information like a person’s name, birth date, and gender
  • A mug shot
  • Inmate location
  • Inmate registration number
  • Jail transfer information
  • Custody status
  • Law enforcement office making the arrest, police department, sheriff, state police, etc.

Where can I find Illinois inmate records?

The Illinois State Department of Corrections maintains inmate records.

You can access various offender searches through the IDOC website.

You can search by the last name, IDOC number, or birthdate.

Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277

Phone number: (217) 558-2200

Illinois Court Records

Court Clerks maintain court records in Illinois.

You can find a complete list of courts, as well as contact information for court clerks.

What’s on a court record?

Court records can be extensive and include a lot of many types of documents.

These documents can include things like:

  • Court minutes
  • Case files
  • Dockets
  • Court orders
  • Judgments
  • Jury records and files
  • Witness documentation
  • Child support orders

Where can I find Illinois court records?

Those seeking Illinois court records must obtain them from the local court handling the case.

The Illinois Association of Court Clerks makes it easier by listing all the county links on their page. Those seeking information should contact the county clerk listed to find out how to obtain court records. Be prepared to place a formal request for records involving court cases and have case information and a case number handy, if possible.

The largest Illinois court circuit is the Cook County Circuit Court.

There is no online access to court records. You must physically go to the Cook County Courthouse and use a public-access terminal to access records as the system doesn’t publish criminal records online. Also, Cook County does not keep dispositions for arrests or charges where they didn’t go to court.

Circuit Court of Cook County
50 West Washington Street, Room 2600
Richard J. Daley Center
Chicago, IL 60602

Phone number: (312) 603-6000

The fee is $9 in Cook County.

In Illinois courts, the clerk can charge you a certified disposition fee to process your request.

The process to access court records remains the same no matter where the case was heard. Whether it was heard by the Illinois Supreme Court or elsewhere in the judicial circuit, your point of contact should be the clerk of court at the specific courthouse.

Illinois Vital Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains vital records statewide.

Illinois public vital records include:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Death Certificates
  • Marriage Licenses
  • Divorce Decrees

Public vital records requests will vary depending on the document you are wishing to obtain.

What information do I need to request an Illinois birth certificate?

The Application for Illinois Birth Record from the State form will ask you for specific information:

  • Full name on the birth record
  • Date of Illinois Birth
  • Place of Illinois Birth
  • Gender
  • Full name of both parents before marriage

Where can I find an Illinois birth certificate?

You can obtain a certified copy of an Illinois birth certificate by completing the Application for Illinois Birth Record and submitting it by mail or fax.

Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.

A certified birth certificate is $15 for a long-form birth certificate and $10 for a short form certified copy.

All additional copies cost $2.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702

Fax: 217-523-2648

What information do I need for a death certificate in Illinois?

The Application for Illinois Death Record requires specific information:

  • The death certificate number, if possible
  • Full name on the death record
  • Date of death
  • Gender

Where can I find an Illinois death record?

You can obtain a certified copy of an Illinois death certificate by completing the Application for Illinois Death Record and submitting it by mail or fax.

Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.

A certified death certificate is $19.

All additional copies cost $4.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702

Fax: 217-523-2648

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in Illinois?

The Application for Verification of Marriage Record will ask you for specific information:

  • Name of both spouses
  • Place of marriage
  • Date of marriage

Where can I find an existing Illinois marriage record?

You can access a certified copy of an Illinois marriage record by completing the Application for Verification of Marriage Record Files and submitting it by mail or fax.

Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.

A certified marriage certificate is $5 for each copy.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702

Fax: 217-523-2648

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in Illinois?

The Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Records will ask you for specific information:

  • Name of both spouses before marriage
  • Place of divorce
  • Date of divorce

Where can I find an Illinois divorce record?

You can access a certified copy of an Illinois divorce certificate by completing the Application for Verification of Dissolution of Marriage and submitting it by mail or fax.

Or, you can request one online using VitalChek.

A certified divorce record costs $5 for each copy.

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Ave-2737
Springfield, Illinois 62702

Fax: 217-523-2648

Illinois Property Records

Illinois Property records are maintained by the County Assessor’s Office.

The information on a public property record will differ depending on what information you are attempting to obtain.

  • Residential or commercial purpose
  • Liens
  • Titles
  • Property deeds
  • Mortgages
  • Property tax assessment records
  • Zoning information
  • Probate

What information do I need to request property records in Illinois?

Forms for public property records differ depending on the County Assessor’s Office in the state of Illinois.

Where can I find an Illinois property record?

You will need to contact your County Clerk’s Office to inquire about specific forms, fees, and processes.

Example – Illinois County
Cook County Property Search
118 N Clark St #320
Chicago, IL 60602

Phone Number: (312) 443-7550

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents in Illinois?

Anyone in the United States can submit an open records request regardless of their state.

Is there a records custodian in Illinois?

Illinois has a state official in charge of records. However, the Attorney General’s Office has a division called the Public Access Counselor to help resolve disputes between those requesting and agencies refusing to honor the request.

All agencies must notify the Public Access Counselor of any denials and reasons for the denial.

What exemptions exist for public records in Illinois?

While no agency is exempted from FOIA requests, there are exemptions with explicit language for each category and listing ways where a request could be exempted. Exemptions in the federal freedom of information law can also be used to exempt certain state documents.

Illinois exemptions are broad, so anyone seeking information should read the same law. Some of the things exempted are:

  • Private information
  • Personal information
  • Law enforcement information inactive or ongoing investigations
  • Law enforcement information that could lead to a biased trial or mistrial
  • Trade secrets
  • Grant or proposal documents
  • Educational Examination Data Architectural or engineering data on facilities
  • Communications with attorneys or auditors
  • Closed meeting minutes until released under the Open Meetings Act
  • Public employee grievances or disciplinary action
  • Real estate proprietary insurance data
  • Security threats

How long does Illinois have to respond?

The agency has five business days to respond.

Is there an appeals process in place for public records requests in Illinois?

Those who don’t receive a response from the agency within the time required or disagree with the denial of a request for information can file a complaint with the Public Access Counselor’s office.

Agencies found guilty of wrongdoing incur significant penalties of $2,500 and $5000.

If the requester feels the Public Access Counselor didn’t make the right decision in their FOIA request, the one requesting information can appeal the decision by filing a lawsuit with a Circuit Clerk.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Illinois?

Fees for a public records search in Illinois are specified in the law. Agencies can’t charge search fees and must trust only the actual cost of labor to copy them. Also, if they don’t respond within five business days, they could dismiss the fee.

There are no fees for requests totaling less than 50 black and white pages, and those in color can only be charged the cost of copying them. The copying fee is $.15 per page.

With electronic records, the price can only include the cost of the medium that the document is copied onto, such as a flash drive. The Illinois Vehicle Code sets the fee for driving records.

Start Your Records Search:

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments