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Bloomington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Bloomington, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Bloomington, 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, with certain statutory exemptions. The Bloomington Police Department and McLean County Sheriff's Office maintain these records as part of their official duties. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and accountability within the judicial system.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA. Such redactions typically include personal identifying information of minors, victims of certain crimes, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations. The McLean County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings.

How to Look Up Bloomington Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Bloomington. The McLean County government has established procedures for requesting and obtaining these public documents in accordance with Illinois state law. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:

Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Bloomington Police Department at 305 S. East Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Requests may be submitted in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM), by mail, or via email.
Access the McLean County Court Records Search system, which provides electronic access to case information for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
Visit the McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office located at the Law and Justice Center, 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Public terminals are available for searching court records Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Review the daily arrest reports and incident blotters published by the McLean County Sheriff's Office, which are updated regularly and contain information about recent arrests.
Contact the Records Division of the Bloomington Police Department at (309) 434-2355 to inquire about specific arrest record availability and request procedures.

Pursuant to Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter II, Part 1240, requesters must provide sufficient information to identify the records being sought. This typically includes the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and, if available, date of birth or case number.

Contents of a Bloomington Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Bloomington law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.). These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, aliases if any, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred
Agency case number and booking identification number assigned by the arresting agency
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, with reference to the specific Illinois statutes allegedly violated
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint information and other biometric data collected during processing
Detention status, including bail or bond information if applicable
Preliminary hearing date and court assignment information

The McLean County Sheriff's Office and Bloomington Police Department maintain these records in accordance with the Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.), which establishes retention schedules for various categories of public records. Arrest records are generally retained permanently, though the accessibility of older records may vary depending on the status of digitization efforts.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Bloomington

The State of Illinois provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Bloomington. This process is governed by the Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), which establishes specific criteria for eligibility. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Circuit Court of McLean County and adhere to the procedural requirements set forth in the statute.

Eligibility for expungement generally extends to the following circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed
Cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Successful completion of supervision or qualified probation for certain offenses
Certain non-violent convictions after a waiting period as specified by statute

The expungement process requires the petitioner to submit forms to the McLean County Circuit Clerk's Office at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. The petition must include:

Certified copies of all relevant court dispositions
Complete criminal history transcript from the Illinois State Police
Filing fee or approved fee waiver
Notice to all agencies that maintain the records

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The State's Attorney's Office and affected law enforcement agencies have the right to object to the petition within 60 days. If the court grants the expungement, an order will be issued directing all relevant agencies to seal or destroy the records in question.

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(9), once an expungement order is entered, the petitioner may lawfully deny the existence of the expunged arrest record in most circumstances, including employment applications. However, certain exceptions exist for applications related to law enforcement positions, certain licensed professions, and some government employment.

Search Arrest Records in Bloomington

Bloomington Police Department
305 S. East Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 434-2355
Official Website

McLean County Circuit Clerk
Law and Justice Center
104 W. Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 888-5301
Official Website

McLean County Sheriff's Office
Law and Justice Center
104 W. Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
(309) 888-5034
Official Website