Arrest records are public documents in Indian Head Park, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq. This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring government transparency by mandating that official records, including those pertaining to arrests, remain accessible to members of the public. The Village of Indian Head Park maintains these records in compliance with state regulations that balance public access rights with privacy protections.
The Illinois FOIA specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, though certain exemptions may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or where disclosure might compromise public safety. Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally available, certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, which outlines specific exemptions from disclosure.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Indian Head Park have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Village administration has established several channels through which these records may be accessed in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act:
Submit a Freedom of Information Request directly to the Indian Head Park Police Department. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically.
Visit the Indian Head Park Police Department located at 201 Acacia Drive, Indian Head Park, IL 60525. The Records Division maintains public access hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Contact the Records Division by telephone at (708) 246-4534 to inquire about the proper procedures for obtaining specific arrest records.
Submit electronic requests through the Village's official website using the designated FOIA request form.
Access the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's electronic database for cases that have proceeded to court proceedings following an arrest.
Pursuant to Illinois state law, the Village must respond to FOIA requests within five business days, though this period may be extended under certain circumstances as outlined in 5 ILCS 140/3(e). Requesters should provide specific information including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest to facilitate efficient processing.
Official arrest records maintained by the Indian Head Park Police Department contain standardized information as mandated by Illinois state law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, gender, and residential address
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks or tattoos
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest within Village boundaries
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses in accordance with the Indian Head Park Municipal Code or Illinois state law
Identity of the arresting officer(s) and their badge numbers
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected during the booking procedure
Custody status information, including bond amounts if applicable
Case disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the offense and subsequent judicial proceedings. Records pertaining to misdemeanor violations may contain less detailed information than those documenting felony arrests. All records are maintained in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.).
The management and disclosure of arrest records in Indian Head Park operates within a structured legal framework established by both state legislation and local ordinances. This framework ensures proper documentation while balancing public access rights with privacy considerations:
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.) serves as the primary legal authority governing public access to arrest records. This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest documentation, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted.
The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.) regulates the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information by law enforcement agencies, including the Indian Head Park Police Department.
The Indian Head Park Municipal Code contains specific provisions regarding local law enforcement procedures and record-keeping requirements that supplement state regulations.
The Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.) establishes retention schedules for various government records, including those pertaining to arrests and criminal proceedings.
Federal regulations, including those promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), may restrict the disclosure of certain medical information that might be contained within arrest records.
The Indian Head Park Police Department's Law and Code Enforcement division ensures compliance with these legal requirements while facilitating appropriate public access to arrest information.
While arrest records are generally public documents in Indian Head Park, certain statutory limitations and exemptions restrict access to specific categories of information. These limitations serve important public policy objectives related to privacy, rehabilitation, and the administration of justice:
Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (individuals under 18 years of age) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq.) and are generally not available through standard public records requests.
Information regarding arrests that resulted in orders of expungement or sealing pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 is removed from public access and cannot be lawfully disclosed by Village officials.
Certain sensitive personal information contained within arrest records, such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, is subject to redaction prior to public disclosure in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(b).
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if their release would interfere with pending or contemplated law enforcement proceedings as provided in 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(d).
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(c) may be redacted from arrest records prior to disclosure.
The Indian Head Park Police Department's Records Division evaluates each request for arrest records to ensure compliance with these statutory limitations while maximizing appropriate public access.
Under Illinois law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged or sealed, effectively removing them from public access. The expungement process in Indian Head Park follows procedures established by state statute and is administered through the Cook County court system:
Eligibility for expungement is primarily determined by the disposition of the case and the nature of the offense. Generally, arrests that did not result in conviction may be eligible for expungement pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Cook County, payment of applicable fees, and attendance at a judicial hearing where the merits of the petition will be evaluated.
Notice of expungement petitions must be served upon the Indian Head Park Police Department and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, which may object to the petition based on statutory grounds.
If granted, an expungement order requires the Indian Head Park Police Department to remove all records of the arrest from public access and to return or destroy physical records as directed by the court.
Certain offenses, particularly those involving violence, sexual misconduct, or driving under the influence, are statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of case disposition.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records originating in Indian Head Park may obtain information about the Administrative Adjudication process through the Village's official website or by contacting the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.