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Normal Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Normal, Illinois?

Arrest records are public in Normal, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes the legal framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction. The Illinois FOIA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Town of Normal maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available to promote governmental transparency and accountability.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in compliance with privacy protections under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA. Such protected information typically includes personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information pertaining to juvenile offenders as specified in the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq.).

How to Look Up Normal Arrest Records in 2025

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

Submit a Freedom of Information Act request through the Town's online Public Records Request portal
Visit the Normal Police Department in person at 100 E. Phoenix Avenue, Normal, IL 61761 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Contact the Records Division by telephone at (309) 454-9535 to inquire about record availability
Access the Daily Log on the Town of Normal's official website, which provides information about recent police activity
Utilize the public access terminals located at the McLean County Law and Justice Center at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701

Requestors should note that pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, the Town of Normal may assess reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed the actual cost of providing the records. Fee schedules are established by municipal ordinance and are available for review at the Normal Police Department.

Contents of a Normal Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Normal Police Department contain standardized information as required by Illinois state law and departmental policy. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of the alleged offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Property inventory of items in the arrestee's possession at the time of arrest
Initial appearance information, including bond amounts when applicable
Case disposition information, if available

The McLean County Circuit Clerk maintains subsequent court records related to arrests, including case filings, hearing dates, and final dispositions. These records are maintained separately from arrest records and may be accessed through the McLean County Law and Justice Center located at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Normal

The maintenance and dissemination of arrest records in Normal are governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public access with privacy protections. The primary statutes governing these records include:

Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.), which establishes the presumption of openness for government records
Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.), which regulates the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history record information
Illinois Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/1 et seq.), which establishes retention requirements for municipal records
Town of Normal Municipal Code Chapter 11, which contains local ordinances pertaining to police records

The Normal Police Department, located at 100 E. Phoenix Avenue, Normal, IL 61761, serves as the custodian of arrest records generated within the jurisdiction. The department's Records Division processes requests in accordance with applicable state laws and municipal ordinances.

Public access to these records is further supported by the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor, which provides oversight and mediation services for FOIA disputes. The Public Access Counselor may be contacted at 500 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62706 or by telephone at (877) 299-3642.

Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Normal are generally accessible to the public, certain statutory limitations restrict access to specific information. These limitations include:

Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 18 years of age) are subject to confidentiality provisions under the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq.)
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in § 7(1)(c) of the Illinois FOIA
Records that would interfere with pending or contemplated law enforcement proceedings pursuant to § 7(1)(d) of the Illinois FOIA
Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel or other individuals
Records sealed or expunged by court order in accordance with the Illinois Criminal Identification Act

The Normal Police Department is responsible for reviewing and redacting exempt information prior to the release of arrest records. Requestors who believe information has been improperly withheld may seek review by the Public Access Counselor within the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Normal

Under Illinois law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged or sealed, effectively removing them from public access. The expungement process is governed by the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/5.2), which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedures.

Individuals may qualify for expungement in the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The conviction was reversed or vacated
The individual received a pardon from the Governor
The offense is eligible for expungement under statutory provisions
The required waiting period has elapsed since the completion of the sentence

The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Circuit Court of McLean County, located at 104 W. Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. The petition must be served upon the Normal Police Department, the McLean County State's Attorney's Office, and the Illinois State Police. These agencies have the opportunity to object to the petition within 60 days of notification.

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing the Normal Police Department and other agencies to expunge all records related to the arrest. Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2(d)(9), the Normal Police Department must comply with the expungement order within 60 days of receipt.