Chicago Court Records

Chicago court records are held by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Cook County operates the largest unified court system in the United States, and Chicago residents have access to case records through six district courthouses, an online search portal, and in-person at the Richard J. Daley Center in the Loop. Civil, criminal, traffic, domestic relations, and probate cases all flow through the circuit court system.

Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court

The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is the official custodian of all court records for Chicago and the rest of Cook County. The main office sits at the Richard J. Daley Center in downtown Chicago. This office accepts new filings, handles record requests, and manages case files for all case types. The clerk's office is one of the busiest in the nation, processing millions of filings each year.

You can reach the clerk by phone at (312) 603-5030 for general questions. Staff can direct you to the right division or department depending on the type of case you need. Keep in mind that each case type has its own department, so knowing whether your case is civil, criminal, or domestic will help you get to the right place faster.

Search Chicago Court Records Online

The Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court offers an online case search portal at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org. The portal lets you search by name, case number, or attorney. Results show case type, filing date, parties, and upcoming court dates. Not all older records are in the online system, but filings from the past several years are generally available.

The image below shows the case search portal at the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court website.

The portal covers civil, criminal, traffic, domestic relations, and probate cases filed in Cook County.

For a statewide search that covers most Illinois counties, you can also use Judici or re:SearchIL. Note that Cook County is not fully integrated into Judici, so the Cook County clerk's own portal is the best starting point for Chicago cases.

Cook County District Courthouses

Cook County divides its court operations into six districts. Chicago residents may have cases filed at any of these locations depending on where the case arose or where they live. Each district has its own clerk's office that handles filings and record requests for that location.

• Chicago District (Daley Center): 50 W. Washington St., Chicago -- the main courthouse for most civil and criminal matters
• Bridgeview District: 10220 S. 76th Ave., Bridgeview -- serves the southwest suburbs
• Markham District: 16501 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham -- serves the south suburbs
• Maywood District: 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood -- serves the west suburbs
• Rolling Meadows District: 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows -- serves the northwest suburbs
• Skokie District: 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie -- serves the north suburbs

If you are not sure which district handled a case, the online portal searches all six districts at once. You can also call the main number and staff will help you find the right location.

Types of Court Records Available

The Cook County Circuit Court handles a wide range of case types. Most of these records are public under Illinois law. Here is what you can typically find and where to look.

Civil Cases

Civil cases include lawsuits between individuals, businesses, and government agencies. Small claims cases for amounts up to $10,000 are also handled in the circuit court. Civil records include complaints, answers, motions, and judgments. These are all public and searchable through the online portal.

Criminal Cases

Criminal case records cover arrests, charges, plea agreements, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders. Felony cases are heard at the Daley Center. Misdemeanor cases may be handled at the district courthouse nearest to where the offense occurred. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), the circuit clerk must maintain these records and make them available to the public.

Traffic Cases

Traffic violations, DUI charges, and license suspensions go through the circuit court. These records are public. Search by name or case number on the clerk's portal.

Domestic Relations

Divorce filings, child custody orders, and support agreements are domestic relations cases. Most of these records are public, though some portions may be sealed when children are involved. The Domestic Relations Division is located at the Daley Center.

Probate Cases

Wills, estate filings, and guardianship orders go through the Probate Division. These are generally public records.

How to Get Copies of Court Records

There are three ways to get copies of Chicago court records: online, in person, or by mail.

Online: The clerk's portal lets you view case summaries for free. Certified copies and full document downloads may require a fee. Log in or create an account at cookcountyclerkofcourt.org for more options.

In person: Go to the Daley Center or the district courthouse that handled the case. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff at the clerk's counter can pull the file and make copies. Fees apply per page for paper copies.

By mail: Send a written request to the clerk's office at 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602. Include the case number, your name, contact information, and a check or money order for the copy fee. The clerk's website has current fee information.

Electronic Filing in Cook County

Illinois requires electronic filing (e-filing) for most civil cases. Attorneys and self-represented litigants can file through eFileIL, the state's official e-filing portal. Once a case is filed electronically, the clerk processes it and adds it to the online case management system. E-filed documents become part of the public record the same way paper filings do.

Self-represented parties who cannot e-file may ask for an exemption at the clerk's office. The court also has self-help resources through the Illinois Court Help website and phone line.

Chicago Administrative Hearings

Not all city enforcement actions go to the circuit court. The City of Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings handles parking tickets, building code violations, business license issues, and similar city matters. These are not the same as circuit court records and are not searchable through the Cook County clerk's portal. If you need records from an administrative hearing, contact the Department of Administrative Hearings directly.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Several organizations offer free or low-cost legal help to Chicago residents who cannot afford an attorney.

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) provides free legal forms, guides, and attorney referrals. The site covers most case types including eviction, family law, and consumer issues. You can also use the guided interview tools to generate court forms tailored to your situation.

Illinois Court Help offers free guidance by phone at (833) 411-1121. Staff can walk you through court procedures and explain what to expect. This is not legal advice, but it can help you understand the process before you go to court.

The Illinois Courts forms page has downloadable forms for common case types. These are the official forms accepted by all Illinois courts, including Cook County.

Illinois FOIA and Court Records Access

Court records in Illinois are governed primarily by the circuit court rules and the Clerk of Courts Act rather than the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Illinois FOIA, found at 5 ILCS 140/, applies to executive branch agencies, not the judicial branch. That means you request court records directly from the circuit clerk -- not through a FOIA request. Most court records are public by default unless a judge has specifically ordered them sealed.

Nearby Illinois Cities

These cities also use Illinois circuit courts for all case filings.