Illinois Public Records

State Level Information

First enacted in 1984 and known as the Illinois Freedom of Information Act or FOIA, this set of laws was created to ensure that the public is assured access to public records of all governmental bodies in the state of Illinois.

According to the statutes, access to full and complete information is "necessary to enable the people to fulfill their duties of discussing public issues fully and freely, making informed political judgments and monitoring government to ensure that it is being conducted in the public interest."

Illinois Code 140(2)(c) defines public records as "all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, recorded information and all other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, having been prepared, or having been or being used, received, possessed or under the control of any public body."

State of Illinois Department of Public Safety
State of Illinois Secretary of State
Illinois Department of Agriculture
State of Illinois Department of Real Estate
Illinois Department of Revenue
Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois State Veterinary Medical Examining Board

Court Record Resources

Criminal history records in the state of Illinois is only available through the Illinois State Police. Additionally you may obtain a Uniform Conviction Information Act (UCIA) Sheet through the Internet by requesting it here. When requesting the form by mail, send your UCIA request to:

Illinois State Police
Bureau of Identification,
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60431-1060

Phone requests are taken at (816) 740-5216. Office hours for telephone requests are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

Illinois Judicial Branch
Illinois Criminal Justice Commission
Illinois State Police
Illinois Department of Corrections
Illinois Office of Administrative Hearings
Illinois Department of Health Services

Vital Records Facts

Illinois State Library, Archives and Public Records
State of Illinois