Find Illinois Court Records Online
Illinois court records are public files kept by the Circuit Clerk in each of the state's 102 counties. The court system handles civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family cases across 24 judicial circuits plus the Cook County Circuit. You can search Illinois court records online through the state's case access tools, visit a courthouse in person, or request copies by mail. This guide covers the main ways to find and access court records in Illinois, from statewide databases to county-level clerk offices.
Illinois Court Records Quick Facts
Illinois Court Records and the Circuit Court System
Illinois runs a unified court system overseen at the state level by the Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). The AOIC sits at 222 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago and handles court technology, statistics, and programs that support all 102 counties. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), all records, dockets, and books kept by circuit clerks are public records. They must be open to inspection at all times without a fee. That law is the core reason you can view Illinois court records without needing to prove a reason or show a relationship to a case.
The state is split into 24 judicial circuits plus Cook County, which runs as its own separate circuit due to its size. Cook County alone holds over 5 million residents and operates the largest unified court system in Illinois. The other 101 counties fall into 23 numbered circuits. Each circuit has a chief judge and a Circuit Clerk. The clerk's job is to file case papers, maintain the official record, and give out copies of court documents. Civil, criminal, family, and traffic matters all flow through this structure, and Illinois court records from each of these case types are subject to the same access rules.
The Illinois Courts website at illinoiscourts.gov serves as the main gateway for court information statewide. It includes court directories, public forms, rules, and links to case search tools for all circuits.
The courts homepage links to all key tools and services for Illinois court records, including case search portals, e-filing systems, and self-help resources for people without a lawyer.
The Supreme Court of Illinois hears final appeals and sets binding court rules. It manages the statewide e-filing initiative and the remote access policy that governs who can view Illinois court records online. Five appellate courts sit between the circuit courts and the Supreme Court, covering different regions of the state.
The Supreme Court's decisions shape how Illinois court records are stored and accessed. Its 2004 remote access policy was updated in 2025 to expand public access to digital filings at the appellate level.
The AOIC handles the systems that store and deliver Illinois court records to the public. It supports court improvement programs and manages technology for all circuits.
Search Illinois Court Records Online
Illinois offers several ways to look up court records from a computer or phone. The main tools are re:SearchIL, Judici, and county-specific portals. Each system covers different courts and record types. Using them together gives you the widest reach when searching for Illinois court records.
Re:SearchIL is the Supreme Court's statewide document repository. As of May 1, 2025, it provides free remote public access to Illinois Supreme Court documents and filings from all five appellate courts. Cases filed on or after April 1, 2025 are available. Juvenile cases and other non-public types are excluded. The records here are not the official court record, but they give broad online access to Illinois court filings at the appellate level. Visit re:SearchIL to start searching. Users must register in line with the Illinois Remote Access Policy before viewing documents.
Re:SearchIL covers records filed on or after April 1, 2025 at the Supreme Court and appellate courts. Some documents carry confidentiality designations under Supreme Court Rule 8 and are not available remotely. For older Illinois court records or circuit court filings, you need other tools.
Judici.com serves 82 of Illinois's 102 counties for online case search. It is one of the most widely used tools for finding Illinois court records at the circuit court level. You can search by name or case number and see docket entries, case status, and hearing dates. Most basic searches are free. The site covers civil, criminal, traffic, and other case types for all participating counties. If you are looking for Illinois court records at the local level, Judici is often the first place to check for counties outside Cook.
When a county is not on Judici, check the county Circuit Clerk's own website. Cook County, Lake County, and several other large counties run their own case search portals with detailed public access to Illinois court records.
eFileIL for Illinois Court Records and Electronic Filing
eFileIL is the Illinois Supreme Court's statewide electronic filing system. It lets attorneys and self-represented litigants file papers in any Illinois court that accepts electronic filing. The system runs around the clock, so you can file from home, an office, or anywhere with an internet connection. Seventeen certified Electronic Filing Service Providers (EFSPs) take part in the system. You pick one from the comparison chart, register, and file through it. A single Electronic Filing Manager (EFM) processes all submissions so Illinois court records update uniformly across the state. Visit eFileIL on the courts site to see which courts are active and how to get started.
The eFileIL portal at efile.illinoiscourts.gov is the gateway for electronic filing in Illinois. Users must select an EFSP before they can submit papers. The basic EFSP portal is available for those who prefer not to use a third-party provider.
Not all courts in Illinois accept electronic filing. The Active Courts page on the eFileIL site shows which circuits and counties currently participate. Check there before trying to file electronically for a case in any Illinois court.
Find Illinois Court Records by Location
Illinois Courts provides an interactive map to help you find any courthouse in the state. The Find Your Court tool lets you search by county or court type and shows addresses and phone numbers. It is the fastest way to identify the right courthouse for an Illinois case. Visit the interactive map to locate your county's court.
The public resources page at illinoiscourts.gov/public lists guides for court users across Illinois. These include how to attend court by phone or video, court holiday schedules, and access programs for people with disabilities or those who use a language other than English. Most Illinois courts offer on-site Spanish interpreters, and telephonic or video interpretation is available in other languages. The page also links to educational resources on how cases move through the Illinois court system.
The services page at illinoiscourts.gov/eservices lists all electronic services available to court users in Illinois. This includes eFileIL, re:SearchIL, and case management tools used by clerks and judges across the state.
Illinois Court Records Forms and Documents
The Illinois Courts website has a full forms library at illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms. Forms cover civil, domestic relations, probate, orders of protection, and other case types. Self-represented litigants can download and print most forms at no cost. Each form comes with instructions. For complex Illinois court cases, an attorney may still be the right choice, but the state's form library helps people handle simpler matters without one.
The self-help page at illinoiscourts.gov/self-help includes court guides, how-to videos, and links to legal help resources. Videos include "Going to Court on Your Own" and "Preparing for a Court Appearance via Zoom." These are practical tools for anyone working through the Illinois court system without a lawyer and who needs to understand how their Illinois court records are created and accessed.
The Supreme Court holds oral arguments in major Illinois cases. Recordings are available at this page. These can help you understand how Illinois courts interpret the laws that affect court record access and other legal rights.
Illinois Court Help for Court Records Questions
Illinois Court Help is a free service from the Illinois Supreme Court. It connects people with the information they need to navigate the court system. Staff answer general questions about Illinois court procedures, forms, and resources. They do not give legal advice or case-specific opinions, but they can point you to the right tools and explain how the system works. Calls are limited to 15 minutes. Reach Illinois Court Help at (833) 411-1121 by phone or text. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., closed on court holidays.
Visit ilcourthelp.gov to access court guides, FAQs, and topic-specific resources. The site covers how to file a case, how Illinois court cases move through the system, and where to find legal help in your area. It is available 24 hours a day even when phone lines are closed. Court guides help you understand and go through the Illinois court process wherever you are in the state.
You can also submit a written question online at the Illinois Court Help ask page. Staff respond during business hours. This works well when you need a detailed answer about Illinois court records or procedures but cannot call during the day.
Legal Help for Illinois Court Records and Cases
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is the main free legal resource site for people in Illinois. It has guides, forms, and tools for all types of civil legal matters, including family court cases, consumer issues, and how to access Illinois court records. The site is a key resource when you need help with a court case or understanding court documents. Visit illinoislegalaid.org for free legal information, DIY court forms, and a directory of legal aid offices across Illinois.
ILAO partners with the Illinois Courts and AOIC to make legal information easy to find. Step-by-step guides walk you through filing different types of cases and understanding Illinois court rules. If you qualify based on income, legal aid organizations across Illinois provide free help from a licensed attorney. The site also links to local legal aid offices in every region of the state.
Note: Illinois Court Help and ILAO both offer free general information but do not give legal advice on specific Illinois court cases.
Illinois Open Records Law and Public Access
Illinois law gives the public broad rights to view court records. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), all records kept by circuit clerks are public. They are open for inspection at all times without a fee. Anyone can ask to see Illinois court files. You do not need to be a party to a case. You do not have to give a reason for your request. This applies to civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family cases across all 102 counties.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/ governs access to records held by public agencies, including the administrative side of Illinois courts. Any person can request records from a public body. The agency has five business days to respond. If access is denied without cause, a person may sue for injunctive or declaratory relief. Courts that willfully refuse to comply face civil penalties between $2,500 and $5,000. The FOIA covers government agency records, while the Clerk of Courts Act covers the court files themselves. Together, they form the main legal framework for public access to Illinois court records.
The State Records Act at 5 ILCS 160/ provides that any person has the right to access public records unless access is limited by law. All records created or received by public officials in the course of their duties belong to the state. This law supports the broader framework of open access to Illinois court records and other government documents.
Some Illinois court records are not open to the public. Juvenile cases are sealed by default. Adoption records are confidential. Expunged or sealed criminal records are removed from public view. The Privacy of Adult Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act (725 ILCS 191/10), effective January 1, 2022, blocks public access to court records tied to criminal sexual offense investigations. Victim identities are protected unless a court orders release after weighing the victim's best interest and any compelling state concern. Even for cases where records are public, a trial court may restrict access to specific documents when a party shows a compelling interest in privacy. Courts must use the least restrictive approach when doing so, per Illinois case law from Skolnick v. Altheimer & Gray, 191 Ill. 2d 214 (2000).
Browse Illinois Court Records by County
Each of Illinois's 102 counties has a Circuit Clerk who keeps all local court records. Pick a county below to find the clerk's contact info, online search options, and resources specific to that county's courts.
View All 102 Illinois Counties →
Illinois Court Records in Major Cities
Illinois cities rely on their county's Circuit Court for all case filings. Pick a city below to find the courthouse that serves it, how to search local court records, and other area resources.