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Vernon Hills Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Vernon Hills, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Vernon Hills, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq. This legislation establishes the legal framework ensuring government transparency by granting citizens access to public records maintained by state and local agencies. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in § 7 of the Act.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are legally accessible, specific procedures must be followed to obtain them. The Vernon Hills Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state recordkeeping requirements and makes them available through established channels as mandated by law.

How to Look Up Vernon Hills Arrest Records in 2025

The Vernon Hills Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Vernon Hills Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit requests for arrest records.

Vernon Hills Police Department
740 Lakeview Parkway
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(847) 362-4449
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Online Access: The Lake County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search portal that includes arrest information for individuals processed through Vernon Hills law enforcement.
Court Records: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through the 19th Judicial Circuit Court system, which maintains records for Lake County, including Vernon Hills.

19th Judicial Circuit Court
18 N County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-3600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Written Requests: FOIA requests may be submitted in writing to the Vernon Hills Police Department Records Division. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3, the department must respond to such requests within five business days.

Requestors should note that while basic arrest record information is available without charge, reproduction fees may apply for copies of documents in accordance with § 6 of the Illinois FOIA. Current fee schedules are available at the Records Division or on the Vernon Hills municipal website.

Contents of a Vernon Hills Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Vernon Hills law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Illinois state law and local ordinances. These records typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting officer's name and badge number; agency case number; and booking information
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of the Vernon Hills Municipal Code or Illinois state statutes, including citation of relevant code sections
Incident Description: Brief narrative of the circumstances leading to the arrest, including probable cause determination
Processing Information: Fingerprints, mugshot photographs, property inventory, and medical screening results
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, release conditions, or continued detention
Prior Record: References to previous arrests or convictions, if applicable and relevant to the current case

It should be noted that pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to victims or witnesses. Additionally, records related to arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may be subject to expungement or sealing under Illinois law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Vernon Hills

The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Vernon Hills and throughout Lake County. Expungement is the process by which arrest records are physically destroyed or returned to the petitioner, while sealing restricts public access to such records while maintaining them for limited law enforcement purposes.

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, the following categories of arrest records may be eligible for expungement:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed
Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation
Certain non-violent offenses after applicable waiting periods

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

Obtain certified copies of arrest records from the Vernon Hills Police Department
File a Petition for Expungement with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County
Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Attend a hearing if objections are filed by the State's Attorney or arresting agency

Lake County Circuit Clerk's Office
18 N County Street, Room 101
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-3380
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Lake County Circuit Court provides self-help resources for pro se petitioners, though many individuals elect to secure legal representation to navigate the process effectively.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Vernon Hills are generally public, Illinois law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect privacy rights and ensure due process. The following restrictions apply to arrest record access:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to 705 ILCS 405/1-7, records pertaining to arrests of minors under 18 years of age are confidential and not accessible to the general public except by court order.
Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain employers as specified by statute.
Expunged Records: Following successful expungement, records are no longer accessible to any entity, including government agencies, with limited exceptions for certain law enforcement purposes.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to pending investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, as permitted under § 7(1)(d) of the Illinois FOIA.
Privacy Protections: Personal identifying information unrelated to the arrest (e.g., home addresses, telephone numbers, medical information) may be redacted prior to public disclosure.

Government agencies in Vernon Hills are required to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of the justice system when responding to requests for arrest records.