>Union County Arrest Records Online

Union County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Union County, Illinois?

Arrest records in Union County, Illinois are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of individuals to access information regarding governmental activities and operations. The Illinois FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public documents that must be made available for inspection and copying by any person requesting such information.

The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation under Illinois law. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

• Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations • Ensures accountability of public officials • Provides citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities • Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes • Supports journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided in 5 ILCS 140/7, such as information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Union County?

Union County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Union County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website, including recent booking information and an inmate roster. This online accessibility is authorized under the Illinois Public Records Act and facilitated through secure governmental databases.

The Illinois Department of Corrections also maintains an online inmate search system that includes information about individuals who have been processed through the Union County criminal justice system and subsequently incarcerated in state facilities. This database is updated regularly and provides:

• Current custody status • Physical identifying information • Conviction information • Projected release dates • Facility location information

Online access to these records is subject to the provisions of the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (815 ILCS 530/), which establishes protocols for the protection of personal identifying information while maintaining public access to essential record content.

How to Look Up Union County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Union County arrest records have multiple methods available for obtaining this information. Each method is governed by specific protocols established pursuant to Illinois state law and local ordinances.

In-person requests may be submitted at the Union County Sheriff's Office: Union County Sheriff's Office 309 W Market St Jonesboro, IL 62952 (618) 833-5500 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

The Union County Courthouse also maintains records related to arrests that have proceeded to court action: Union County Courthouse 309 W Market St, Suite 101 Jonesboro, IL 62952 (618) 833-5913 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

For electronic access, requesters may utilize:

• The Illinois Department of Corrections Individual in Custody Search for information on individuals who have been sentenced to state custody • The Union County Sheriff's Office online inmate lookup system • Third-party public record aggregation services that compile arrest data from multiple jurisdictions

Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/6, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction, not to exceed the actual cost of providing the records. Standard fees in Union County are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of arrest records.

Contents of a Union County Arrest Record

Union County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 1240. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in detention. Standard arrest records include:

• Biographical information of the arrested individual:

Full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity as recorded by the arresting officer
Home address at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)

• Arrest-specific information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
Booking number and processing information

• Judicial processing information:

Bond amount and type
Court appearance dates
Case number assignments
Disposition information (if available)

• Biometric data:

Fingerprint classifications
Booking photograph(s)
State identification number

These records are maintained in accordance with the Illinois State Records Act (5 ILCS 160/) which establishes retention schedules for various categories of governmental records. Arrest records are typically retained permanently, though access protocols may vary depending on case disposition and subsequent court actions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Union County

The expungement of arrest records in Union County follows procedures established under the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/). This statute provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the removal of arrest records from public access. Expungement effectively erases the record as if the arrest never occurred.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Union County include:

• Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal • Arrests not resulting in charges being filed • Successful completion of supervision for certain qualifying offenses • Certain non-violent offenses after a waiting period specified by statute • Arrests for offenses that have subsequently been decriminalized

The petition process requires filing with the Circuit Clerk of Union County: Union County Circuit Clerk 309 W Market St Jonesboro, IL 62952 (618) 833-5913 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, the petition must be served upon the State's Attorney's Office, the arresting agency, and the Illinois State Police. These agencies have 60 days to file objections to the petition. If no objections are filed, or if the court overrules any objections after a hearing, an order of expungement may be granted.

Filing fees for expungement petitions in Union County are $157, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 298. Upon successful expungement, all agencies maintaining the records are required to comply with the court order within 60 days.