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Bridgeview Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bridgeview, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Bridgeview, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies shall be accessible to the public, with certain statutory exemptions. The Illinois FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law. Arrest records, as part of the public record system, serve multiple functions:

Maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling public oversight of governmental activities
Providing citizens with information regarding criminal activities in their communities
Supporting public safety through awareness of potential threats

The Village of Bridgeview Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. While the records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with exemptions outlined in 5 ILCS 140/7.

How to Look Up Bridgeview Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Bridgeview arrest records in 2025 have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The Bridgeview Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records. Individuals may utilize the following methods to obtain these documents:

Online Database Access: The Village of Bridgeview maintains digital repositories where arrest records can be searched using identifying information such as name, date of arrest, or case number.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Bridgeview Police Department to submit formal requests for arrest records.

Bridgeview Police Department
7500 S. Oketo Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Phone: (708) 458-2131
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Cook County Circuit Court: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through the Cook County Fifth Municipal District Court in Bridgeview.

Cook County Fifth Municipal District Court
10220 S. 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Phone: (708) 974-6500
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Written FOIA Requests: Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3, individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the FOIA Officer at the Bridgeview Police Department.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of a Bridgeview Arrest Record

Bridgeview arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Illinois state law and local ordinances. These documents typically include comprehensive details about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable
Custody status (released on bond, detained, etc.)

In accordance with the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/), certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to juveniles or victims of certain crimes.

Legal Uses of Bridgeview Arrest Records

Arrest records from Bridgeview serve multiple legitimate purposes within both public and private sectors. These documents may be lawfully utilized for:

Background Verification: Employers conducting pre-employment screening for positions involving security clearances, financial responsibility, or work with vulnerable populations may review arrest records in accordance with the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/).
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may evaluate arrest records when assessing rental applications, subject to fair housing regulations.
Licensing Determinations: Professional licensing boards may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for licenses in fields such as healthcare, education, and financial services.
Statistical Analysis: Government agencies and research institutions may analyze anonymized arrest data to identify crime patterns and develop evidence-based public safety strategies.
Journalistic Reporting: News organizations may access arrest records to report on matters of public interest and safety.

It should be noted that pursuant to 775 ILCS 5/2-103, employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from inquiring about or considering an arrest record that did not result in conviction. The Illinois Human Rights Act further restricts how arrest information may be used in employment decisions.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Bridgeview are generally public documents, several statutory and procedural limitations restrict access to certain information. These limitations include:

Sealed or Expunged Records: Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, records that have been legally sealed or expunged are removed from public access and cannot be lawfully disclosed by government agencies.
Juvenile Records: Under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/), arrest records pertaining to minors are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and are not generally available to the public.
Ongoing Investigations: Information that could compromise active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under exemptions provided in 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(d).
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information is typically redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(b).
Victims of Certain Crimes: Information that could identify victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or human trafficking may be redacted pursuant to various Illinois privacy statutes.

The Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's Office maintains policies governing access to court records related to arrests in accordance with these statutory limitations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bridgeview

Illinois law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process effectively removes the record from public access and, in some cases, from government agency files. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, individuals may be eligible for expungement if:

The arrest did not lead to formal charges
Charges were dismissed
The individual was acquitted of all charges
The conviction was reversed or vacated
The individual successfully completed a qualified diversion program

The expungement process typically involves:

Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Cook County Fifth Municipal District Court
Payment of applicable filing fees (currently $120 for the first petition)
Notification of relevant law enforcement agencies
Judicial review of the petition
Issuance of an expungement order if approved

Effective January 1, 2020, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705/) established automatic expungement for certain minor cannabis offenses. Additionally, the Clean Slate Pilot Program initiated in 2023 has expanded automatic expungement eligibility for certain non-violent offenses.

Individuals seeking expungement of Bridgeview arrest records should consult the resources available through the Cook County Sheriff's Office or the Circuit Court Clerk for current procedures and eligibility requirements.