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Decatur Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Decatur, Illinois?

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

Members of the public may access these records for various legitimate purposes, including:

Background checks for employment or housing
Personal safety concerns
Research and statistical analysis
Journalistic investigations
Legal proceedings

The Decatur Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols that balance public transparency with privacy considerations as mandated by Illinois law.

How to Look Up Decatur Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Decatur provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest record information. Individuals seeking such records may utilize any of the following official methods:

In-Person Requests at the Decatur Police Department: Citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records at the department headquarters. Staff will assist with completing the necessary FOIA request forms.

Decatur Police Department
707 W. South Side Dr.
Decatur, IL 62521
Phone: (217) 424-2711
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Macon County Circuit Clerk's Office: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the clerk's office at the Macon County Courthouse.

Macon County Circuit Clerk
253 E. Wood St., Room 362
Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 424-1363
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Online Portal Access: The City of Decatur maintains a digital records system through which certain arrest information may be searched. This service is accessible through the official city website.
Written FOIA Requests: Pursuant to § 5 ILCS 140/3, citizens may submit written requests for arrest records by mail or email to the designated FOIA officer.

Standard processing time for arrest record requests is five business days, though complex requests may require an extension as permitted under § 5 ILCS 140/3(e).

Contents of a Decatur Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Decatur law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. These records are standardized in accordance with Illinois State Police reporting requirements and generally include the following elements:

Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions and biometric identifiers
Arresting officer information and badge number
Incident report narrative
Custody status and bail determination
Case disposition information when available

The Decatur Police Department maintains these records in compliance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.) and departmental retention policies. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with privacy exemptions under § 5 ILCS 140/7.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Decatur, several statutory provisions limit access to certain information. The Illinois FOIA establishes specific exemptions that protect:

Juvenile arrest records (705 ILCS 405/1-7)
Records sealed or expunged by court order (20 ILCS 2630/5.2)
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records that could compromise ongoing investigations
Information that might endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel

The Decatur Police Department is required to balance the public's right to information with these privacy and safety considerations. When processing requests, officials must redact exempt information while providing access to non-exempt portions of the records as mandated by § 5 ILCS 140/7(1).

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Decatur may utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes, subject to significant legal restrictions. The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-103) and the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act (820 ILCS 75/1 et seq.) establish parameters for the use of criminal history information in employment decisions.

Key regulations governing the use of arrest records include:

Employers may not inquire about arrest records that did not result in conviction
Housing providers must follow fair housing guidelines when considering criminal history
Financial institutions must comply with federal regulations regarding background checks
Educational institutions have specific protocols for evaluating applicant criminal histories

Organizations conducting background checks using Decatur arrest records must ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) when utilizing third-party consumer reporting agencies to obtain this information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Decatur

Illinois law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by Decatur authorities. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2) establishes the legal framework for this process.

Eligibility criteria for expungement or sealing generally include:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or non-conviction dispositions
Successful completion of court supervision or qualified probation
Passage of specified waiting periods based on offense classification
Absence of disqualifying subsequent arrests or convictions
Completion of all court-ordered requirements

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Macon County Circuit Court. Upon approval, the court will order the Decatur Police Department and other relevant agencies to remove or seal the specified records from public access.

Macon County Circuit Court
253 E. Wood St.
Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 424-1400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Decatur Arrest Statistics and Trends

The Decatur Police Department maintains comprehensive statistical data regarding arrest patterns and crime trends within city boundaries. This information is compiled in accordance with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) standards and is regularly submitted to state and federal criminal justice information repositories.

Current statistical analyses indicate several notable trends in Decatur arrests:

Property crime arrests have shown moderate fluctuation over the past five years
Drug-related apprehensions reflect evolving enforcement priorities
Violent crime arrests demonstrate correlation with community policing initiatives
Juvenile arrest rates have responded to diversion program implementation
Geographic distribution of arrests informs resource allocation decisions

These statistics are utilized by the Decatur Police Department for strategic planning purposes and are made available to the public through periodic reports published on the city's official website.