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Champaign Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Champaign, Illinois?

Arrest records are public in Champaign, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This statute establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible for public inspection and copying. The Illinois FOIA promotes governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information concerning the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees.

The Champaign Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with state law and departmental policies. Members of the public may request these records through established procedures. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as permitted under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, including information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.

How to Look Up Champaign Arrest Records in 2025

The Champaign Police Department provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

Submit a request for a police report in person at the Champaign Police Department, located at 82 E. University Ave., Champaign, IL 61820.
Access the Police Media Reports section of the official City of Champaign website, which provides public review of incident reports.
Visit the Champaign County Circuit Clerk's Office at the Champaign County Courthouse, 101 E. Main St., Urbana, IL 61801, to review court records related to arrests.
Utilize the Champaign County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup portal for information on currently detained individuals.

Requests for arrest records must be submitted in compliance with departmental procedures. The Champaign Police Department processes such requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Pursuant to § 3(d) of the Illinois FOIA, the department must respond to requests within five business days, with possible extension under certain circumstances.

Contents of a Champaign Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Champaign Police Department contain specific information as required by Illinois law and departmental policy. These records typically include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including processing date and time
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Case number and incident report reference
Fingerprint classification data
Booking photograph ("mugshot")

The Champaign Police Department maintains these records in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.) and departmental retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to exemptions under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, including but not limited to juvenile information, medical data, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Champaign

The expungement and sealing of arrest records in Champaign County is governed by the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). Eligible individuals may petition the Champaign County Circuit Court to have their arrest records expunged or sealed under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement generally include:

Arrests that did not result in charges
Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

Obtain certified copies of arrest records from the arresting agency
File a Petition for Expungement with the Champaign County Circuit Clerk
Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Serve copies of the petition on all relevant agencies
Attend a court hearing if objections are filed

Upon court approval, the Champaign Police Department and other relevant agencies must comply with the expungement order within 60 days by physically destroying or returning to the petitioner all records of the arrest. The Illinois State Police must similarly update their records within 60 days of receiving the expungement order.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Champaign, Illinois law establishes several important restrictions on access and dissemination. The Champaign Police Department adheres to these statutory limitations when processing record requests:

Juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-7 et seq.)
Records pertaining to victims of sexual offenses may be restricted pursuant to the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act (725 ILCS 190/1 et seq.)
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 7(1)(d) of the Illinois FOIA
Records sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access

The Champaign County Courthouse maintains judicial records related to arrests and prosecutions. These records are accessible during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding court holidays.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Champaign seeking to use arrest records for background screening purposes must comply with applicable state and federal laws. The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-103) prohibits inquiry into or use of arrest information that did not result in conviction, with limited exceptions for certain regulated industries.

Additional restrictions apply under the following statutes:

The Illinois Employee Background Fairness Act (820 ILCS 75/1 et seq.) limits consideration of criminal history in employment decisions
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs third-party background checks
The Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635/1 et seq.) regulates access to conviction information

Entities requesting arrest records for background check purposes must submit appropriate documentation demonstrating legal authorization to receive such information. The Champaign Police Department may require signed releases from the subject of the records or other verification of legal authority before processing such requests.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records

The Champaign Police Department assesses fees for copies of arrest records in accordance with § 6 of the Illinois FOIA and local ordinance. Current fee schedules are as follows:

First 50 pages of black and white, letter or legal sized copies: No charge
Additional black and white pages: $0.15 per page
Color copies or abnormal size documents: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic records provided via email or digital media: No charge for the electronic files (cost of media may apply)
Certified copies: $1.00 per document in addition to copy fees

Fee waivers may be granted when the requester demonstrates that the records are sought for a public purpose, including but not limited to academic research, journalism, or nonprofit activities. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with the initial records request.

Payment must be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the City of Champaign. The department does not accept credit or debit card payments for records requests.