Illinois Public Records: How to Find and Access Public Records in Illinois Easily

In the US today, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides citizens with the right to access information created by governmental entities, including public records. Finding public records in Illinois is a crucial skill for anyone looking for information, whether a researcher undertaking academic study, a journalist looking to break a story, or just a regular curious individual.

Many records are freely accessible online, and the state has put in place tools to make the system more accessible for residents to use. In this post, we'll walk you through methods of obtaining access to public records in Illinois, the available data, and the procedures you must follow.

Who Can Access Illinois Public Records?

Illinois residents and nonresidents have access to public documents. No matter where they live, anybody interested may access the state's public documents under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (IL FOIA). According to the Act, those who request have a legal right to view, examine, or obtain public records as part of their civic duty to hold the government accountable.
 

Nonetheless, some documents may be restricted to public access due to the material they contain. For instance, if it endangers the safety of all individuals engaged in the case, the record custodian may keep criminal history information from the public's gaze. 

Although the public can easily access public records in Illinois, certain records are typically exempt from publication when a public record request is submitted. People or organizations qualified to seek an official background check from FCRA sources may have access to these records.

Types of Public Records Available in Illinois

It is critical to understand what types of public documents are available in Illinois when accessing them. Vital records, such as marriage, divorce, birth, and death, are among Illinois's most prevalent categories of public records. For a requestor to obtain such records, they must demonstrate a relationship with the subject.

Individuals must give identification details like the person's name on the record, the time and location of the events, and the requester's relationship to the person on the record to receive a copy of a vital record. While divorce and marriage records usually are open to the public under Illinois public records laws, certified birth, and death certificates are not.

Another major category of public data in Illinois is court records, including details about criminal and civil proceedings. Anyone can use the Illinois State Courts website to look up cases, and they can do so by case number, party name, or attorney name. The court where the matter was heard is also open to anyone requesting access to the court file in person.

Another type of public data that residents in Illinois will want to see is property records. These records provide information on property transfers, tax assessments, and ownership information. Online or in-person access to property records is often offered through the county clerk's or recorder's office.

Where to Begin: Accessing and Obtaining Illinois Public Records Online

Online databases are one of Illinois's most convenient ways to obtain public documents. The Illinois State Archives is another helpful site for accessing public records in Illinois. This agency keeps a wide variety of historical and genealogical documents, including military, naturalization, and census records. 

Many of these records are available online through the Illinois State Archives website, making it simple for people to research in their homes. People should also be prepared to pay any costs required for accessing and getting public records. Here are some of the most searched public records in Illinois, with links to access them online:

Illinois Birth and Death Certificates

The Illinois Department of Public Health has a search page for getting birth and death certificates. People can order and pay for these data online and then receive them via mail.

Illinois Marriage and Divorce Records

The Illinois Department of Public Health also has an online site to seek marriage and divorce records. Individuals can order and pay for these records online, like birth and death certificates, and then receive them by mail.

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records are all found under the Department of Public Health. They can be accessed using the Vitalchek portal.

Illinois Property Records 

Many county governments keep property records in Illinois, and many counties provide internet access. Cook County has an online site to view property records. DuPage County Recorder's Office offers an online portal to access property transaction records. Lake County has an online page for the recorder of deeds. To find the property records for other counties, you can search for the county name and their recorder's office.

Illinois Criminal Records

The website of the Illinois State Police provides access to criminal history records for the state of Illinois. The website offers information on obtaining criminal records and a link to the Criminal History Record Information System (CHIRP), which allows users to search for criminal histories using their names or fingerprints.

Illinois Court Records 

The state of Illinois' re:SearchIL facility is a free online tool that allows you to search for court documents across all 102 counties. To access the service and search court records for free, all you need is an Re:FileIL account.

Illinois Business Records 

The Illinois Secretary of State's website provides access to business records in the state. This website contains instructions for searching for business entities, corporations, and trademarks and obtaining copies of business records.

Illinois Driving Records

The Illinois Secretary of State's website provides access to driving records throughout the state. The page explains how to get a driving record, including the many records available and the fees connected with each. People can purchase and pay for a driving record online and then pick it up in person or by mail from a Secretary of State building.

Conclusion

Obtaining public information in Illinois is a simple process made easier by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the numerous state and local government organizations that offer internet access to public documents. 

It will be a crime if we do not mention that you can also utilize third-party websites to search for Illinois public records. Truepeoplesearch.com is a popular website that you can use to find public records for people living in Illinois, such as contact information and criminal history.