> >La Grange Arrest Records

La Grange Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in La Grange, Illinois?

Arrest records in La Grange, Illinois are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. The La Grange Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. Public arrest records typically contain the individual's name, the nature of charges filed, arrest date, location, and other pertinent information related to the incident.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety. Members of the public seeking access to these records must follow established protocols for record requests as outlined in § 140/3 of the Act, which mandates that public bodies make such information "available to any person for inspection or copying."

How to Access La Grange Arrest Records in 2025

The Village of La Grange provides multiple channels through which residents and interested parties may obtain arrest records. Each method varies in processing time, associated fees, and convenience factors. The following options are available for accessing arrest records in La Grange:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the La Grange Police Department to submit a formal request for arrest records. The Records Division processes these requests during regular business hours.
Online Police Records Portal: The La Grange Police Department maintains a digital records system where certain arrest information can be accessed electronically. Users must register and may be required to pay nominal processing fees for document retrieval.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records via mail or email to the Records Division, including specific information about the record being sought.
Cook County Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may also be available through the Cook County Circuit Court system, which maintains documentation of criminal proceedings.

La Grange Police Department
304 W. Burlington Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525
Phone: (708) 579-2333
Official Website

Cook County Circuit Court - Fifth Municipal District
10220 S. 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Phone: (708) 974-6500
Official Website

Contents of a La Grange Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the La Grange Police Department contain comprehensive information about both the arrested individual and the circumstances of their apprehension. Pursuant to Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 1240, these records must include specific elements to ensure proper documentation of law enforcement actions. A complete La Grange arrest record typically contains:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and ethnicity
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
Official booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed description of charges filed, including applicable Illinois statutes
Case number and arresting officer information
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Preliminary court appearance details
Disposition information if the case has concluded

These records are maintained in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.), which establishes retention schedules for various categories of municipal records. Arrest records are typically retained for a minimum of five years after case disposition, though records involving serious felonies may be maintained permanently.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in La Grange are generally public, certain statutory limitations restrict access to specific categories of records. The Illinois Compiled Statutes establish several exemptions to public disclosure requirements. These restrictions serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and vulnerable populations. Key restrictions include:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-7), records pertaining to arrests of individuals under 18 years of age are not publicly accessible except under limited circumstances specified by statute.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been legally sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access in accordance with the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2).
Active Investigations: Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement proceedings or deprive a person of a fair trial, as permitted under § 7(1)(d) of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Privacy Concerns: Certain personal information within arrest records, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, is redacted prior to public disclosure to protect individual privacy rights.
Orders of Protection: Information identifying victims of domestic violence or individuals protected by orders of protection may be withheld from public disclosure pursuant to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (750 ILCS 60/101 et seq.).

Law enforcement agencies in La Grange are required to balance the public's right to information with these statutory protections when processing requests for arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in La Grange

The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in La Grange. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access, while sealing limits visibility to law enforcement agencies. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2) establishes the framework for these remedies.

Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing include:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi
Arrests not resulting in charges (stale arrests)
Successful completion of supervision, qualified probation, or certain diversion programs
Convictions for specified misdemeanors and non-violent felonies after applicable waiting periods
Cannabis-related offenses eligible under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

Obtain a complete criminal history transcript from the Illinois State Police
File a Petition for Expungement or Sealing with the Circuit Court of Cook County
Serve copies of the petition to all relevant agencies, including the La Grange Police Department and State's Attorney
Attend a court hearing if objections are filed by any notified agency
If granted, ensure compliance with the court order by all record-holding agencies

Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court
50 W. Washington Street, Room 1006
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 603-5030
Official Website

Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal History Reports

Arrest records and comprehensive criminal history reports represent distinct categories of documentation within the La Grange criminal justice system. Understanding these differences is essential for individuals seeking specific information. The primary distinctions include:

Scope of Information: Arrest records document a single incident of apprehension by law enforcement, while criminal history reports compile all documented interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions.
Maintaining Authority: Individual arrest records are primarily maintained by the La Grange Police Department, whereas complete criminal history reports are compiled and maintained by the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification pursuant to 20 ILCS 2635/1 et seq.
Access Procedures: Obtaining arrest records typically requires contacting the La Grange Police Department directly, while comprehensive criminal history reports must be requested through the Illinois State Police or authorized fingerprint vendors.
Fingerprint Requirements: Access to complete criminal history information generally requires submission of the subject's fingerprints for positive identification, while basic arrest record information may be available without this requirement.
Usage Restrictions: Criminal history reports obtained through official channels may be subject to specific usage limitations under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act, while publicly available arrest records have fewer statutory restrictions on use.

Individuals seeking the most complete information about their criminal history should request an official transcript from the Illinois State Police rather than relying solely on local arrest records.