>Cook County Arrest Records Online

Cook County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cook County, Illinois?

Arrest records in Cook County, Illinois are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/). This statute establishes that records maintained by public bodies shall be available for inspection and copying by any person, subject to certain exemptions. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, containing details of individuals detained by law enforcement agencies within Cook County jurisdictions.

The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk maintains these records in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court rules and state statutes. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records through various authorized channels established by county agencies. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of governmental transparency and public safety awareness as mandated by Illinois state law.

Requestors should note that while arrest records are public, certain information may be redacted in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/7, which protects private information such as social security numbers, home addresses of certain officials, and information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington St., Room 1001
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-5030
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cook County?

Cook County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county agencies. The Cook County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their inmate locator service. Additionally, the Circuit Court of Cook County offers electronic access to case information through their online portal system.

The digital availability of these records is governed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners' policies on electronic record access and the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts. These policies ensure that while information remains accessible to the public, it is provided in a manner consistent with privacy protections required by state law.

Online access to arrest records typically requires basic identifying information such as name and date of birth. Some specialized searches may require additional identifiers or case numbers. Pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/16(6), the Clerk may charge reasonable fees for electronic access to court records, though basic search functions are generally provided without cost.

Users of online systems should be aware that not all arrest record information may be available electronically, particularly for cases predating digital record-keeping systems or those subject to specific confidentiality provisions under Illinois law.

How to Look Up Cook County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Cook County arrest records in 2025 have multiple official channels through which this information may be obtained:

Submit a formal request to the Cook County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person, by mail, or through their electronic request portal
Utilize the inmate locator service provided by the Cook County Sheriff for current detainee information
Access the public terminals available at the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours
Submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the specific law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest
Consult the Court Records and Archives for historical arrest information and associated court proceedings

For arrests resulting in state incarceration, the Illinois Department of Corrections maintains searchable records of individuals in custody through their offender tracking system.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific identifying information including the full legal name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and if possible, the case or booking number. Pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.2b, fees may apply for certified copies of records or extensive searches requiring staff assistance.

Cook County Sheriff's Records Division
2700 S. California Ave., Building 1
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 674-7100
Official Website

Contents of a Cook County Arrest Record

Standard Cook County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement at the time of apprehension. These records typically include the following elements as required by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 1240:

Subject's complete legal name and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific geographic location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected according to Illinois State Police standards
Identification of the arresting agency and badge numbers of officers involved
Custody status information and initial bond determination
Case disposition if available within the same record system

These records are maintained in accordance with the Cook County Jail Agreed Order and other applicable federal consent decrees governing detention practices. The information contained in arrest records serves as the foundation for subsequent criminal justice proceedings and remains part of the official record regardless of case outcome.

Law enforcement agencies within Cook County are required to submit standardized arrest information to central repositories maintained by both county and state authorities pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5, which governs criminal identification and records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cook County

The expungement and sealing of arrest records in Cook County is governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which provides specific remedies for individuals seeking to remove eligible arrests from public access. Expungement results in the physical destruction of records, while sealing limits access to law enforcement and certain authorized entities.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Cook County include:

Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
Certain non-conviction dispositions including successful completion of supervision
Specific qualifying probation completions as enumerated in statute
Arrests for offenses subsequently decriminalized by legislative action

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the Circuit Court of Cook County. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(6), the State's Attorney's Office has the right to object to petitions within 60 days of filing. If no objection is filed or the court overrules an objection, an order for expungement may be granted.

Individuals granted expungement relief benefit from the legal authority to deny the existence of the expunged arrest in most circumstances, including employment applications. However, certain exceptions exist for specialized employment sectors including law enforcement and healthcare.

Cook County State's Attorney's Office
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington St., Room 500
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-1880
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Cook County

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