Arrest records are public documents in Lombard, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This statute establishes the legal framework ensuring government transparency by making official records, including those pertaining to arrests, accessible to members of the public. The Village of Lombard maintains these records in accordance with state law, which mandates that law enforcement agencies preserve documentation of all official actions. Public access to these records serves multiple civic purposes, including governmental accountability, public safety awareness, and informed community participation.
The Lombard Police Department, as the primary law enforcement agency for the municipality, is the custodian of arrest records occurring within village jurisdiction. While these records are generally available for public inspection, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile privacy, or other statutorily protected information as outlined in § 7 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Multiple methods exist for members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Lombard, Illinois. The Village of Lombard has implemented a multi-channel approach to records access in compliance with state transparency requirements. Individuals may utilize any of the following official channels:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Lombard Police Department Records Division during standard business hours to submit a records request. Staff members are available to assist with proper completion of required forms.
Online Portal Access: The Village of Lombard maintains a secure online records portal through which citizens may submit electronic requests for arrest records. This system operates 24 hours per day and provides automated status updates on pending requests.
Written Correspondence: Standard mail requests are accepted when submitted on the official FOIA request form. All requests must include specific information regarding the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Public Access Terminals: Designated computer terminals are available at the Lombard Village Hall for citizens to access certain public records databases without formal requests.
The Lombard Police Department processes all requests in accordance with statutory timelines established in the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which generally requires response within five business days, subject to extension under specific circumstances outlined in § 3(e) of the Act.
Standard arrest records maintained by the Lombard Police Department contain comprehensive documentation of law enforcement interactions with detained individuals. These official documents typically include the following categories of information:
Biographical Data: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and any documented aliases or previous identities.
Incident Details: Precise date, time, and location of the arrest; circumstances leading to the enforcement action; and responding officers' identification information.
Criminal Charges: Complete enumeration of all charges filed, including applicable Illinois Criminal Code citations and classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies.
Processing Documentation: Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and personal property inventory collected during the intake process.
Judicial Information: Court docket numbers, assigned judge, scheduled court appearances, and bail or bond determinations when applicable.
Detention Status: Current custody status, including release information if applicable, and any special conditions imposed by judicial authorities.
It should be noted that pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to minors. Additionally, records pertaining to arrests that resulted in orders for expungement or sealing will not be available through standard public access channels.
The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by Lombard authorities. This process is governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Expungement constitutes the physical destruction of records and removal from all public databases, while sealing restricts access to specified government agencies only. The following conditions generally apply to expungement eligibility in Lombard:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
The DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk's Office processes these petitions at:
DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk
505 N. County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 407-8700
DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk
Petitioners should be aware that pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(6), certain categories of offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and domestic violence convictions.