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:
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).
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).
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:
Arrest details:
Processing information:
Case disposition:
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.
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:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
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.
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:
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