Logan County, Illinois Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Logan County, Illinois?
Arrest records are public in Logan County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public bodies shall be accessible to all citizens to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The Logan County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty under Illinois law. Members of the public may access these records through established channels, subject to certain exemptions that protect privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 7 of the Act. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of governmental accountability and public safety awareness.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Logan County?
Arrest records can be found online in Logan County through several digital platforms maintained by county law enforcement agencies. The Logan County Sheriff's Office provides electronic access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the Logan County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests that may be accessed electronically. These online resources are provided in accordance with Illinois Public Act 096-0542, which encourages governmental bodies to make public records available electronically when feasible. Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require additional steps to access, as detailed in subsequent sections.
How to Look Up Logan County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Logan County arrest records in 2025, individuals have multiple methods available as prescribed by Illinois state law and county procedures. The following options are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information:
- Submit a formal records request to the Logan County Sheriff's Office located at the Logan County Safety Complex, 911 Pekin Street, Lincoln, IL 62656. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telephone: (217) 732-4159.
- Visit the Logan County Circuit Clerk's Office at the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL 62656. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telephone: (217) 735-2376.
- Submit a criminal record search request by fax or mail, including the full name (with middle initial) and date of birth of the subject.
- Access the public terminals available at the Logan County Courthouse for self-directed searches of court records related to arrests.
- Utilize the Logan County Court Records online portal for remote access to arrest-related court documents.
Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2635/3(A), requestors may be required to provide identification when requesting records in person. Fees for record searches and copies are established by county ordinance and must be paid at the time of request as stipulated by § 6(a) of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Contents of a Logan County Arrest Record
Logan County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Illinois state law and local record-keeping protocols. These records typically include the following components:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of charges filed, including Illinois statute citations
- Case number and booking information
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Arresting agency identification (Logan County Sheriff's Office, Lincoln Police Department, etc.)
- Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
- Fingerprint records collected during booking procedures
- Detention status information, including bail determination
- Initial court appearance date if applicable
These records are maintained in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.) and are subject to retention schedules established by the Local Records Commission. The Logan County Jail, located at 911 Pekin Street, Lincoln, IL 62656, processes and maintains these records in coordination with the Sheriff's Office.
Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access
While arrest records are generally public in Logan County, certain legal restrictions limit access in specific circumstances. These limitations are established by Illinois state statutes and include:
- Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential pursuant to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-7) and are not accessible to the general public except by court order.
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in § 7(1)(c) of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act may be redacted.
- Records sealed or expunged by court order in accordance with 20 ILCS 2630/5.2 are removed from public access.
- Ongoing investigation exemptions may apply to recent arrests as provided in § 7(1)(d) of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
- Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel or other individuals may be withheld under § 7(1)(f).
The Logan County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk are required by law to review record requests and apply these exemptions where applicable. Denials of access may be appealed through procedures outlined in § 9 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Using Arrest Records for Background Checks
Arrest records from Logan County may be utilized for background check purposes subject to specific regulations under Illinois law. The following guidelines apply to such usage:
- Employers conducting background checks must comply with the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-103), which prohibits inquiry into arrest records that did not result in conviction.
- The Illinois Employee Background Fairness Act (820 ILCS 75/1 et seq.) restricts when and how arrest information can be considered in employment decisions.
- Housing providers are subject to similar restrictions under fair housing laws when reviewing applicant arrest records.
- Licensed professionals may face mandatory reporting requirements for certain arrests as specified in their respective licensing statutes.
- Financial institutions and educational institutions have specific regulatory frameworks governing their use of arrest record information.
Individuals conducting background checks using Logan County arrest records should consult the Logan County Courthouse at 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL 62656, telephone (217) 735-2376, for guidance on proper usage of such information. Improper use of arrest record information may result in civil liability under various Illinois privacy and anti-discrimination statutes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Logan County
In Logan County, individuals may petition for expungement or sealing of arrest records under provisions established in 20 ILCS 2630/5.2. The eligibility criteria and procedures are as follows:
- Arrests that did not lead to charges or resulted in dismissal, acquittal, or vacated convictions may qualify for immediate expungement.
- Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions become eligible for sealing after specified waiting periods (typically 3-5 years after completion of sentence).
- Petitioners must file formal applications with the Logan County Circuit Clerk at the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway Street, Lincoln, IL 62656.
- Filing fees apply as established by county ordinance, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.
- The State's Attorney's Office has the right to object to expungement petitions within 60 days of filing.
- Judicial review determines final approval based on statutory eligibility and public interest considerations.
Upon approval of expungement, physical records are destroyed and electronic records are erased from public databases maintained by the Logan County Sheriff's Office and other agencies. Sealed records remain intact but are removed from public access and can only be viewed by authorized agencies as specified in the sealing order.
Recent Arrest Statistics in Logan County
The Logan County Sheriff's Office maintains statistical data on arrests within the jurisdiction as required by the Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Act (50 ILCS 709/5-10). Current arrest trends indicate:
- Total annual arrests have fluctuated between 800-950 over the past three years.
- Drug-related offenses constitute approximately 32% of all arrests, as documented in Sheriff's Office news releases.
- Domestic violence incidents account for approximately 18% of arrests.
- DUI and alcohol-related offenses represent approximately 15% of total arrests.
- Property crimes including theft, burglary, and criminal damage account for approximately 22% of arrests.
- Violent crime arrests (assault, battery, etc.) constitute approximately 13% of the total.
These statistics are compiled monthly and reported to the Illinois State Police as mandated by state law. The data is utilized for resource allocation, crime prevention strategies, and public safety planning by the Logan County Sheriff's Office, located at 911 Pekin Street, Lincoln, IL 62656.
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