Arrest records in Round Lake, Illinois are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal jurisdictions. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates law enforcement records as public documents, subject to certain exemptions outlined in § 7 of the Act. These exemptions primarily protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office and Round Lake Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements. Public access to these documents serves multiple governmental purposes, including promoting transparency in law enforcement operations, ensuring accountability of public officials, and providing citizens with information about criminal activity within their communities.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Round Lake have multiple methods available for obtaining this information. The Round Lake Police Department processes requests in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which requires response within five business days under normal circumstances. Requestors may utilize any of the following official channels:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Round Lake Police Department located at 741 W. Town Line Road, Round Lake, IL 60073. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Proper identification must be presented when requesting records in person.
Online FOIA Portal: The Village of Round Lake maintains an electronic FOIA request system accessible through the municipal website. Requestors must complete all required fields and may track the status of their request through the assigned reference number.
Written Requests: Standard mail requests should be addressed to: FOIA Officer, Round Lake Police Department, 741 W. Town Line Road, Round Lake, IL 60073. All written requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, and specific records being sought.
Electronic Mail: FOIA requests may be submitted via email to the designated FOIA Officer at records@roundlakepolice.org. The subject line should clearly indicate "FOIA Request" to ensure proper routing.
Pursuant to § 6(a) of the Illinois FOIA, the department may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed the actual cost of providing the records. Fee schedules are posted at the department and on the official website.
Standard arrest records maintained by the Round Lake Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 4045. These records systematically document the circumstances and processing of individuals taken into custody. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and other identifying characteristics of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the Illinois Compiled Statutes citation for each alleged offense, charge classification (felony/misdemeanor), and case number assigned by the Circuit Court of Lake County.
Processing Documentation: Booking photograph (mugshot), fingerprint records, personal property inventory, and medical screening results if applicable.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, bond amount, pre-trial release conditions, or detention orders issued by judicial authority.
Procedural Timeline: Documentation of Miranda rights advisement, attorney requests, initial court appearance scheduling, and other procedural milestones.
The Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/) governs the collection and maintenance of these records. Certain information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with exemptions provided in § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, particularly information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise public safety.
The expungement process for arrest records in Round Lake follows procedures established under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2). Eligible individuals may petition for the removal of arrest records from public access through a formal legal process. The Circuit Court of Lake County, located at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085, has jurisdiction over expungement petitions for arrests occurring within Round Lake municipal boundaries.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires:
Upon court approval, the expungement order requires all agencies to remove records from their databases and physically destroy documentation within 60 days. The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification, located at 260 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432, provides verification of expungement completion upon request.
Certain convictions may qualify for sealing rather than expungement under § 5.2(c) of the Act. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies but are removed from public access. The Lake County State's Attorney's Office provides guidance on expungement and sealing eligibility through their Second Chance Program at (847) 377-3000.