Illinois Public Records Laws and Regulations

Learn more about which agencies control and provide access to public records in Illinois

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.
   

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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