>McDonough County Arrest Records Online

McDonough County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in McDonough County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in McDonough County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Illinois FOIA promotes transparency in governmental operations by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities. Under § 2.15 of the Act, arrest records are classified as public records that document the official business of public bodies and officials. The McDonough County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public accessibility.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in § 7 of the Illinois FOIA, including personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, home addresses, and medical information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in McDonough County?

McDonough County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The McDonough County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the McDonough County Circuit Clerk maintains court records related to arrests that may be accessed electronically.

Online accessibility is governed by the Illinois Compiled Statutes (705 ILCS 105/16) which authorizes circuit court clerks to provide electronic access to court records. The McDonough County government has implemented digital record-keeping systems in compliance with the Illinois Electronic Records Act (5 ILCS 175/), which establishes guidelines for the creation, maintenance, and accessibility of electronic records.

Users should note that while basic arrest information may be available online, comprehensive records may require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices. Online systems typically provide limited information such as the arrestee's name, charges, and court dates.

McDonough County Sheriff's Office
110 S. McArthur Street
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 833-2323
Official Website

How to Look Up McDonough County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for accessing McDonough County arrest records in 2025, pursuant to the Illinois Public Records Act. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following procedures:

Submit a formal request in person at the McDonough County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). Requestors must complete a standard FOIA request form and provide proper identification.
Access the McDonough County government website to search the public records database. The online portal allows users to search by name, date of arrest, or case number.
Visit the McDonough County Circuit Clerk's Office to review court records associated with arrests. The Circuit Clerk maintains records of all criminal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction.
Utilize the Illinois Department of Corrections Inmate Search for information regarding individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody.
Submit a written request via mail to the Records Division of the McDonough County Sheriff's Office, including the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of arrest.

Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/6 and may include charges for copying, certification, and staff time for extensive searches. Standard copying fees are $0.15 per page for black and white copies and $0.50 per page for color copies.

McDonough County Circuit Clerk
#1 Courthouse Square, Room 202
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 837-4889
Official Website

Contents of a McDonough County Arrest Record

McDonough County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 4000. These official documents typically include the following components:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of all charges filed
Arresting agency information and badge numbers of arresting officers
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected pursuant to 725 ILCS 5/107-9
Detention information, including cell assignment if applicable
Bond information, including type and amount set by judicial authority
Court case number and scheduled appearance dates
Disposition information if the case has been adjudicated

In accordance with 20 Ill. Adm. Code 4000.30(c), certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to juveniles as protected under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/).

The McDonough County Courthouse maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats, with retention schedules determined by the Local Records Commission as authorized by the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/).

Expungement of Arrest Records in McDonough County

The expungement process in McDonough County operates under the authority of 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which provides eligible individuals the opportunity to petition for the sealing or destruction of arrest records. Expungement effectively removes the record from public access, restoring the petitioner's privacy rights regarding the specific arrest incident.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in McDonough County include:

Cases resulting in acquittal, dismissal, or nolle prosequi
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Successful completion of supervision, qualified probation, or other alternative dispositions
Certain non-violent offenses after a waiting period as specified by statute

The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:

Obtain a certified copy of their arrest record from the McDonough County Circuit Clerk
Complete the Petition for Expungement form available at the Circuit Clerk's Office
Pay the required filing fee of $157 (as of 2025)
Serve copies of the petition to all relevant agencies, including the State's Attorney and arresting agency
Attend the scheduled court hearing before a judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit

If granted, the court will issue an Order for Expungement directing all agencies to seal or destroy the relevant records within 60 days. Petitioners should be aware that certain agencies, including law enforcement and the Illinois State Police, may retain sealed records for limited purposes as authorized by 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(c)(4).

McDonough County State's Attorney's Office
#1 Courthouse Square, Room 203
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 837-2946
Official Website