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Northbrook Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Northbrook, Illinois?

Arrest records are public in Northbrook, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies shall be accessible to all citizens, with certain statutory exemptions. The Village of Northbrook, as a public entity, maintains arrest records that are generally available for public inspection and copying.

Members of the public may access these records to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and to maintain public oversight of governmental activities. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public documents, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in § 7 of the Act.

The Northbrook Police Department processes FOIA requests for arrest records in accordance with state law. Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, juvenile records and certain sensitive information may be exempt from disclosure under § 7(1)(c) and § 7(1)(d) of the Illinois FOIA.

How to Look Up Northbrook Arrest Records in 2025

The Village of Northbrook provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, these records must be made available within five business days of a proper request, with a possible extension of five additional business days under certain circumstances as outlined in § 3(e) of the Act.

Individuals seeking arrest records in Northbrook may utilize the following methods:

Submit a FOIA request directly to the Northbrook Police Department, either in person or through their official website.
Visit the Cook County Circuit Court to access court records related to arrests made in Northbrook.
Utilize the Cook County Sheriff's Office online inmate search for individuals currently in custody.
Contact the Records Division of the Northbrook Police Department by telephone during regular business hours.

Northbrook Police Department
1401 Landwehr Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 564-2060
Village of Northbrook Official Website

Cook County Circuit Court - District 2
5600 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 470-7250
Illinois Courts Directory

Requesters 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. Fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with § 6 of the Illinois FOIA.

Contents of a Northbrook Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Northbrook Police Department contain standardized information as required by Illinois state law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, cited by Illinois Criminal Code section
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Initial case report number and incident details
Custody status and bail information

In accordance with 20 ILCS 2630/5, the Illinois Criminal Identification Act, certain biometric identifiers such as fingerprints are collected and maintained as part of the arrest record. These records are subsequently transmitted to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification and may be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in national databases.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted prior to release, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information related to minors
Details that might compromise an ongoing investigation

Expungement of Arrest Records in Northbrook

The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by the Northbrook Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. This process is governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, the Criminal Identification Act.

Expungement results in the physical destruction of records, while sealing restricts public access while maintaining the records for limited law enforcement purposes. Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
Arrests not resulting in charges
Certain non-violent convictions after completion of sentence and a waiting period
Successful completion of specialized court programs (e.g., drug court, veterans court)

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

Obtain a certified disposition for each case from the Clerk of the Circuit Court
Complete the appropriate petition forms as prescribed by the Illinois Supreme Court
File the petition with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Cook County
Serve copies of the petition on all affected agencies, including the Northbrook Police Department
Attend a court hearing if objections are filed by any agency

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the Illinois State Police, and the Northbrook Police Department have the right to object to petitions for expungement or sealing within 60 days of notification. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the specified records.

Cook County Circuit Court - Criminal Division
2650 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 674-3147
Illinois Courts Directory

Individuals with arrests in Northbrook may also be eligible for automatic expungement under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705/) for certain marijuana-related offenses, or through the new automatic expungement provisions for certain non-violent offenses under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(i).

Law Enforcement Cooperation in Northbrook

The Northbrook Police Department maintains cooperative relationships with various law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. These partnerships enhance the department's ability to maintain comprehensive arrest records and provide accurate information to the public.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office collaborates with the Northbrook Police Department on various initiatives, including the Mental Health Co-Responder Program. This cooperation extends to information sharing regarding arrests and custody status of individuals processed through the county system.

Additionally, the Northbrook Police Department submits arrest data to the Illinois State Police for inclusion in statewide criminal history databases pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/2.1. This information becomes part of the comprehensive Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) system maintained by the state.

Illinois State Police - Bureau of Identification
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 740-5160
Illinois State Police

Federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, receive arrest information from Northbrook through established information sharing protocols. This ensures that serious offenses are properly documented in national databases such as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Legal Implications of Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by the Northbrook Police Department carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. It is important to note that an arrest record documents only that an individual was taken into custody based on probable cause and does not constitute proof of guilt.

Under Illinois law, specifically 775 ILCS 5/2-103, employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from inquiring about or using arrest records as a basis for employment decisions. However, conviction records may be considered under certain circumstances.

The presence of an arrest record may affect:

Professional licensing in regulated industries
Housing applications
Educational opportunities
Immigration status
Firearm ownership eligibility under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act (430 ILCS 65/)

Individuals with arrest records in Northbrook should be aware that potential employers, landlords, and other entities may conduct background checks that reveal these records unless they have been properly expunged or sealed pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.

The Village of Northbrook and its police department maintain arrest records in accordance with the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/), which establishes retention schedules for various categories of public records. These schedules determine how long arrest records must be maintained before they may be destroyed.