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Grayslake Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Grayslake, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Grayslake, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This statute establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Illinois FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Grayslake Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within Lake County jurisdiction. These records serve multiple public interest functions, including:

  • Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
  • Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
  • Facilitating accountability of government agencies
  • Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
  • Assisting background verification processes

The Village of Grayslake maintains compliance with state regulations regarding the dissemination of arrest information while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 50, Act 205 (Criminal Identification Act).

How to Look Up Grayslake Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Grayslake. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access to these documents:

In-Person Requests The Grayslake Police Department accepts in-person requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Requesters must complete a standardized FOIA request form and present valid identification.

Grayslake Police Department 10 South Seymour Avenue Grayslake, IL 60030 Phone: (847) 223-2341 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written Requests Written FOIA requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Grayslake Police Department or to the Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office. Requests must include the requester's contact information, specific records being sought, and preferred delivery method.

Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office 18 North County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3380 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Electronic Submissions The Village of Grayslake maintains an online portal through which FOIA requests may be submitted electronically. Requesters must provide all required information and may track the status of their request through the system.

Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3(d), public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within five business days, though this period may be extended by an additional five business days under certain circumstances as specified in § 140/3(e).

Contents of a Grayslake Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Grayslake law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 1240. These documents generally include the following elements:

  • Subject identification information:

    • Full legal name and known aliases
    • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
    • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
    • State identification number and/or FBI number when applicable
  • Arrest details:

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Statutory charges and offense descriptions
    • Case or incident report number
    • Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
    • Arresting agency identifier
  • Processing information:

    • Booking photographs ("mugshots")
    • Fingerprint classification data
    • Detention facility information
    • Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
    • Court appearance dates
  • Case disposition:

    • Preliminary hearing outcomes
    • Charging decisions by prosecutorial authorities
    • Court case numbers for tracking purposes

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records in accordance with exemptions provided under 5 ILCS 140/7, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Grayslake

The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records. These remedies are governed by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 (Criminal Identification Act) and are administered through the judicial system.

Expungement constitutes the physical destruction of records and removal from public indices, while sealing restricts access to specified authorized entities. The following general criteria apply to expungement eligibility in Grayslake and throughout Lake County:

  • Arrests resulting in no charges being filed
  • Cases dismissed or resulting in acquittal
  • Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
  • Certain non-violent offenses after prescribed waiting periods
  • Arrests for offenses that have subsequently been decriminalized

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

  1. Obtain certified copies of arrest records from the arresting agency
  2. File a Petition for Expungement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court
  3. Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
  4. Serve copies of the petition on all relevant agencies
  5. Attend scheduled court hearings as required

The Lake County Circuit Court processes expungement petitions in accordance with Illinois Supreme Court rules and local administrative procedures. Petitioners may be required to undergo fingerprinting for verification purposes.

Lake County Circuit Court - Criminal Division 18 North County Street Waukegan, IL 60085 Phone: (847) 377-3600 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to amendments to the Criminal Identification Act effective January 1, 2023, certain expungement procedures have been streamlined, and eligibility criteria have been expanded for specific offense categories.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally accessible to the public, statutory limitations exist regarding their dissemination and use. The following restrictions apply in Grayslake and throughout Illinois:

  • Juvenile arrest records (individuals under 18) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under 705 ILCS 405/1-7 (Juvenile Court Act)
  • Records pertaining to victims of sexual offenses may be subject to redaction under 725 ILCS 120/4 (Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act)
  • Information that would compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(d)
  • Use of arrest record information for employment decisions is regulated by 775 ILCS 5/2-103 (Illinois Human Rights Act)

Government agencies maintaining arrest records must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent unauthorized access while ensuring legitimate public access rights are preserved. The Village of Grayslake has established protocols for record security in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS 530/).

Individuals who believe their rights regarding arrest record access have been violated may file complaints with the Illinois Public Access Counselor:

Office of the Illinois Attorney General - Public Access Bureau 500 South Second Street Springfield, IL 62701 Phone: (877) 299-3642

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