Illinois Criminal Records

How can I check my criminal record in Illinois?

To check a criminal record in Illinois, one must go to the Illinois State Police (online or in person), and file a “Conviction Information Request Form”. Additionally, fingerprints must be taken at the Bureau of Identification. An optional and more convenient way is to find criminal records through an external website. Just search “Illinois criminal records” and there will be multiple websites with a search box, such as the one provided here.

Do arrests show up on background checks in Illinois?

In Illinois, it is illegal for employers to ask about a potential employee’s arrest record. They are required to not use this information when hiring. Illinois is one of the 36 states that has passed the “Ban the Box” law, meaning that private employers with more than 20 employees must consider the qualifications of the candidate first before considering their criminal record.

How far back does a criminal background check go Illinois?

There is no cap to how far a criminal background check goes in Illinois. Employers are told to give a copy of the background check they obtained to the potential employee so that they can dispute any inaccuracies or explain certain items on the report. If there does happen to be inaccurate information, it can be disputed through the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act). Additionally, a claim can be made if the employer does not provide a copy of the background check through the FCRA.

Are criminal records public in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois, through the “Freedom of Information Act”, all criminal records are made public. This means that anyone in the state of Illinois has the right to seek out and view publicly made records. The reasons for doing this differ, but one of the most common reasons is an employer checking a potential employee’s criminal record. Or, on the other hand, someone looking for a new job wants to make sure their record is clean before beginning the hiring process.

How long do sex offenders have to register in Illinois?

Sex offenders in Illinois must register every year for ten years as a sex offender. This is different than what sexual predators must do, as they have to register every 90 days for life. Sex offenders who have also committed first-degree murder must do this. Being registered as a sex offender has many downsides. Perhaps the most prevalent is the fact that sex offenders must alert their neighbors and employers that they have committed a sex offense in the past. This causes much shame and embarrassment and is sometimes unjust if someone only committed a small offense, such as urinating in public. Additionally, sex offenders must alert their employer if they are applying for work that involves children.

How do I get off the sex offender registry in Illinois?

In Illinois, the only way to get name removal off of the registry is to be pardoned or have the conviction of a sex offense proved wrong. Additionally, minors can have their name removed from the registry as well. However, this is only if the minor is tried as a minor in a juvenile court. If one of these exceptions applies to the individual, then they can petition to have their name removed from the registry. Some of the factors that the court takes into account when considering removing a minor’s name are the history of the sex offender, the sex offender’s rehabilitation, age, and any other relevant information related to the minor.

Cook county criminal records

The Clerk of the Circuit Court in Cook County has the official records in a physical form. They can also provide information relating to the case online. However, the online information is not official. The data online contains summaries of the documents for any case. Cook County is the biggest county in Illinois, so it’s important to know where to go when looking for case information.