Illinois public records laws and regulations control the access that the public has to records on individuals such as criminal background, immigration status and vital records. These laws also apply to government records such as meeting minutes and voting records.

State of Illinois public records laws may be grouped according to the aspect of public records that they address. These include the following three general areas:

1. Laws on an Illinois court record regulate the manner in which public information may be accessed. These laws may specify issues such as the length of time the state has to respond to information requests, any fees an agency is allowed to charge and whether the requestor must provide a reason for wanting the information.
2. Laws that define what information on an individual may be considered public. These laws control the personal information that may be accessed by an individual or party designated by the individual.
3. Laws that specify what government records may be accessible to the public. These laws are usually intended to permit journalists to perform an Illinois court case search or to allow private citizens to provide input on government decisions.
   

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Review the procedures for accessing Illinois public records

Access to Illinois court records and public records covered by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Illinois is typically handled by the Attorney General. County and municipal courts may also provide access to Illinois arrest records and Illinois criminal records.

I recommend: The Illinois Attorney General provides an overview of the laws for accessing public records, such as the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The Citizen Media Law Project has an analysis of the laws in Illinois that permit the access of public records.

Learn about the laws regulating access of Illinois public records for individuals

Public records for individuals typically include vital records, such as Illinois birth records, marriage licenses and death certificates. Individuals may only be able to access their own personal records.

I recommend: The Illinois Department of Public Health provides a FAQ on the laws for accessing vital records in Illinois. The Office of the Will County Clerk describes its procedures for accessing vital records under Illinois law.

Look for Illinois public records laws on government records

Government records may include meeting minutes, budget reports and real estate sales. Some government departments provide many different types of government records, while others may be dedicated to a specific type of record.

I recommend: The Illinois Secretary of State provides information on the laws for accessing public government records in Illinois. Washington Township offers access to a variety of government records, such as meeting minutes under Illinois law.

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• •  Illinois public records law is generally guided by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This federal legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. The FOIA was amended by the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments in 1996, which controls the electronic access the public has to these records.

Whether you're looking for information about a potential employee or researching facts on a property, you need to access Illinois public records. Public records are documents that have been filed or recorded by either public agencies or private individuals. Such records include birth and death records, marriage and divorce papers, criminal records, real estate documents, licenses, and so on.

Public records are held by federal, state and local governments, who in turn determine their availability. Although state of Illinois public records are accessible to the public, you may be expected to pay for some information; the fees will vary depending on the department. You can always visit state departments and offices for public records, though there's a breadth of information online.

When researching Illinois public records, remember the following:

1. When doing a background check on an individual, you may want to consider a nationwide search. This will cover information, not just in your state, but in the country as a whole.

2. Make sure that the Illinois official records you get are up to date.

3. Get information from a credible source when searching Illinois public records online. You may be liable for turning someone down if you base a hiring decision on incorrect facts.

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Search Illinois state public records for information on real estate

Information on real estate is always available to the public. If you're looking for specific data on a particular property, such as zoning information, assessments or building requirements, you can find those on government sites, such as county offices. Additionally, you can research title and deed information, find out who owns a property and get tax information.

I recommend: Real Marketing is an online resource that provides links to Illinois county assessor's offices, county recorder's offices, and county treasurer's offices. You can find comprehensive property information by visiting these online government resources.

Consider checking Illinois court records before you hire an employee

As a business owner, it's smart to run background checks on potential employees, especially if you're hiring childcare providers and teachers. Background checks can range from verifying a person's Social Security number, to a detailed account of the person's history and acquaintances. Before doing a background or Illinois criminal search, you must get permission from the individual.

I recommend: The Illinois State Police can help you obtain Illinois criminal records. Additionally, public access to court records is available at the Illinois Association of Court Clerks.

Track down anyone with an Illinois vital records search

With the assistance of the Internet and the right data, you can track down any individual, living or deceased. If you already know the person's Social Security number, date of birth, or last known address, you can use these to research vital records. Less information than that makes your search a little more difficult, but still possible.

I recommend: You can find records of marriage, divorce, birth and death at the Illinois Department of Public Health. Public People Finder can help you track someone down using a variety of information, but they do require a fee.

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• •  The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates how consumer credit information, such bankruptcy records, is collected and used by outside companies-- not employers. The act also restricts reporting on Illinois arrest records and other negative information after seven years, with the exception of criminal convictions.

Public records in Illinois are a vital resource for residents and for those involved in government. Containing everything from death, birth or marriage records to real estate transactions to court cases, it can be overwhelming to know what information is new and vital.

Staying current with changes to Illinois public records can allow you to follow along with everything from access to public records to population increases. There's a wealth of information available, so it's best to pay attention to any trends. Consider the following when investigating Illinois public records news and trends:

1. Locate publications that cover legislation regarding Illinois vital records.

2. Find information on Illinois court records from state-sponsored websites that release news about the bench.

3. Search for state of Illinois public records from the state itself.

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Check out publications online or in print to learn about Illinois public records

All laws in every state are consistently reformed and tweaked to work with the changing times. Staying on top of any changes can be beneficial to knowing what rules exist. Newspapers and other online publications can provide this information about Illinois public records.

I recommend: As one of the largest newspapers in the Midwest, the Chicago Tribune has both online and print editions that you can view. Search through its archives to find news about Illinois public records. The State-Journal Register is based in the state's capital, Springfield, and can provide firsthand updates since it is based where many politicians convene.

Seek Illinois court records by viewing government websites

Illinois government-based websites release news articles about law rulings from the bench. These websites have easy-to-use databases that allow you to do thorough searches and also feature news sections that cover the most high-profile rulings. Look for Illinois arrest records and Illinois criminal records as part of your search.

I recommend: Look to the official site of the Illinois Courts site from the State of Illinois. Here you can find the latest news about the Illinois court record updates. Consider looking into the Illinois State Bar Association and its plethora of knowledge.

Look for Illinois vital records updates from the state's sites

Going straight to the state's websites is essential in finding updates about current trends. Whether it deals with older Illinois marriage licenses or knowing what changes have been made in record keeping, you can check the Illinois government-based sites.

I recommend: Check out news releases from the Illinois Department of Public Health. You can also search through press releases from previous years. The Illinois State Archives is the state's top website to locate information about public records in Illinois.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider seeking out associations that may have extensive knowledge about the state of Illinois public records. These organizations can provide newsletters or have get-togethers where you can meet and network with others.

Illinois public records include the usual births, deaths, marriages and divorces records as well as documents put out by governmental agencies at the local or county level. With few exceptions, most of these records are available for public inspection and copying. Whether you’re doing market research studies in expanding neighborhoods or just trying to confirm details in an employee’s background, getting to know some key concepts and terms can facilitate your search through Illinois public records.

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New homeowners

A new homeowners public records search in Illinois gives you the chance to learn about the changing demographics in Illinois neighborhoods. These searches return results that identify those who have recently purchased homes in case you're doing market research or sales promotions in the area.

I recommend: Record Information Services explains how a new homeowners search benefits your market research.

New businesses

Be the first to identify startup companies in many Illinois counties when you perform a new businesses search through Illinois public records. These searches even identify individuals who have opened businesses in their homes.

I recommend: At Record Information Services, you’ll find out why a new businesses search benefits marketing professionals in ways that other business searches do not.

Illinois State Archives

The Illinois State Archives maintains the state's public records, including those from various governmental agencies and from county administrative offices. The Archives is considered the state's official depository of these records.

I recommend: The Secretary of State’s website explains how and where you can get access to Illinois public records.

Public domain land tract sales

Since 1957, the Illinois State Archives has maintained records concerning the public domain land tract sales. The records relate to the sale of land that is in the public domain, approximately 570,000 square miles.

I recommend: To learn how to search through the database of public domain land tract sales, check out the Illinois State Archives website.

Illinois Department of Public Health

If you're performing a search through Illinois Public Records, you're likely to come across the Illinois Department of Public Health. This agency is the repository of Illinois' births, deaths, marriages and divorces records. The records on births and deaths date back to 1916.

I recommend: Get details on who is permitted to obtain these public records at the Illinois Department of Public Health website. You’ll also find out how to obtain certified copies of public records.

Freedom of Information Act

In Illinois, the Freedom of Information Act passed by the Illinois legislature defines the term public records and states who is permitted to inspect and copy public records.

I recommend: Read more about the Freedom of Information Act at the Records Project where you'll learn about exceptions to the public disclosure policy.