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Will County, Illinois Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Will County, Illinois?

Arrest records are public documents in Will County, Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency in law enforcement operations and ensures accountability within the criminal justice system.

The Will County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Interested parties may request access to arrest information through established protocols that comply with privacy protections outlined in Illinois statutes. While the records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal data as permitted under § 7 of the Illinois FOIA.

Public access to arrest records supports community awareness and facilitates background verification processes commonly utilized by employers, property managers, and other entities with legitimate interests in an individual's criminal history within Will County.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Will County?

Will County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Will County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website, allowing members of the public to search for current inmate populations and outstanding warrants.

The Will County Circuit Clerk maintains an electronic case management system that includes information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system permits authorized users to search for case information using personal identifiers or case numbers assigned at the time of processing.

Online accessibility is subject to the following conditions:

  • Records may not be immediately available following an arrest due to processing timeframes
  • Certain sensitive cases may be restricted from online viewing pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court regulations
  • Historical records may require additional steps to access if they have not been digitized
  • Information accuracy should be verified through official channels before being relied upon for legal purposes

The Illinois State Police also maintains statewide criminal history information that may include Will County arrests, though access to comprehensive records through this system typically requires fingerprint submission and payment of statutory fees.

How to Look Up Will County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Will County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information:

  • Will County Sheriff's Office
    14 W. Jefferson Street
    Joliet, IL 60432
    (815) 727-8575
    Official Website
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

    Individuals may submit requests in person using the designated FOIA request form. Photo identification is required, and fees may apply for document reproduction.

  • Will County Circuit Clerk
    100 W. Jefferson Street
    Joliet, IL 60432
    (815) 727-8592
    Official Website
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

    The Circuit Clerk maintains court records related to arrests. Requestors must provide the name of the arrested individual and, if possible, the case number or date of arrest to facilitate record location.

  • Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
    260 North Chicago Street
    Joliet, IL 60432
    (815) 740-5160
    Official Website
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

    For comprehensive criminal history information, including fingerprint-based records, individuals may submit requests through the Illinois State Police. Fees are established by administrative rule and vary based on the purpose of the request.

  • Online Inmate Search
    The Illinois Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database of individuals currently in custody or under supervision, which may include persons arrested in Will County whose cases resulted in incarceration.

Pursuant to 20 ILCS 2635/3(A), non-governmental entities and individuals requesting criminal history information may be subject to additional verification requirements and usage restrictions.

Contents of a Will County Arrest Record

Will County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Illinois Administrative Code Title 20, Section 1240. These official documents typically include the following elements:

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
  • Unique identifiers including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, distinguishing marks)
  • Illinois State Identification Number (SID) if previously assigned
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) number if applicable
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer identification information
  • Statutory citations for alleged violations of Illinois Criminal Code or local ordinances
  • Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
  • Fingerprint impressions collected according to Illinois State Police standards
  • Custody status information including bond amount and conditions
  • Preliminary hearing date and assigned courtroom
  • Disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

In accordance with 50 ILCS 205/3, these records are maintained by the Will County Sheriff's Office and relevant municipal police departments for periods established by the Local Records Commission. The level of detail available to the public may be limited by provisions in the Illinois Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630/1 et seq.) and the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (705 ILCS 405/1-1 et seq.) when applicable.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Will County

The expungement process in Will County operates under the authority of 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, which establishes procedures for the removal of arrest records from public access. Eligible individuals may petition the Circuit Court of Will County to expunge records of arrests that did not result in conviction or that meet other statutory criteria for expungement.

The following conditions generally apply to expungement eligibility:

  • Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal may qualify for immediate expungement
  • Successful completion of supervision, qualified probation, or certain diversion programs may establish eligibility after specified waiting periods
  • Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of case outcome
  • Individuals with subsequent convictions may face restrictions on expungement eligibility

The expungement petition process requires:

  1. Filing of a formal petition with the Will County Circuit Clerk
  2. Payment of filing fees (currently $157 for the first petition and $60 for each additional petition filed simultaneously)
  3. Service of the petition on all agencies maintaining the records
  4. Attendance at a judicial hearing if objections are filed by any agency
  5. Issuance of an expungement order by the presiding judge if the petition is granted

Upon issuance of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining the specified records are directed to physically destroy or return to the petitioner all records in their possession and to remove references to the arrest from publicly accessible databases. This process typically takes 60-90 days to complete following judicial approval.

Will County Circuit Clerk - Criminal Division
100 W. Jefferson Street, Room 212
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Search Arrest Records in Will County.