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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
The expungement petition process requires:
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