Search Kankakee County Court Records
Kankakee County court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk in the city of Kankakee and cover all cases filed under the 21st Judicial Circuit. Civil, criminal, traffic, and family law filings are public records, and many can be searched online through Judici at no charge. This page explains how to find records, request copies, and get free legal help in Kankakee County.
Kankakee County at a Glance
Circuit Clerk Office
Sandra Cianci serves as the Circuit Clerk for Kankakee County. The clerk's office at the courthouse in Kankakee maintains all court records for the 21st Judicial Circuit in the county. Every civil case, criminal matter, traffic filing, and family court action passes through this office. It is the official source for copies, case status information, and in-person document filing.
| Circuit Clerk | Sandra Cianci |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 East Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901 |
| Phone | (815) 936-5700 |
| Fax | (815) 939-8830 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
The clerk's office is located on East Court Street in downtown Kankakee. Walk-in requests are welcome during business hours. If you need certified copies or want to confirm a specific document is available, call ahead. Staff can also explain how to submit a request by mail if you cannot visit the courthouse.
Appellate Court Access
The re:SearchIL platform, shown below, provides access to Illinois appellate court documents, including appeals originating from Kankakee County.
Cases filed on or after April 1, 2025 at the appellate level are available through re:SearchIL at no cost.
Kankakee County cases appealed to the Illinois Appellate Court, 3rd District, can be found on this platform once they reach that level. The search covers both the Appellate Court and the Illinois Supreme Court. You can search by case number or party name. Some older appellate records may also be accessible depending on the case.
Online Case Search at the Circuit Level
Judici is the best free tool for searching Kankakee County circuit court cases. You can look up cases by name or case number and see the case type, parties, court dates, and status. The service is run by a nonprofit and does not charge for basic case searches.
The Illinois Courts website has a full directory of Illinois circuit courts and a court location map to confirm courthouse contact information. The forms library has standardized forms for most case types filed in Illinois courts.
Electronic filing through eFileIL is available for most Kankakee County case types. Attorneys must e-file under Illinois rules. Self-represented parties may also use the system for eligible filings.
Civil Court Records
Civil filings in Kankakee County include small claims, evictions, contract disputes, debt collection, personal injury cases, and property matters. Most civil records are public. You can view a case file at the clerk's office or search case details through Judici.
Small claims court in Kankakee County handles disputes up to $10,000. Filing does not require an attorney. Forms are available at the courthouse and on the Illinois Courts website. The clerk can explain the process and point you to the right forms for your type of case.
Civil judgments are permanent public records. They can be used to collect debts through wage garnishment, bank levies, or property liens. If you are searching for a civil judgment against someone in Kankakee County, the clerk's office or Judici can confirm whether one exists.
Criminal Records
Criminal case records filed in Kankakee County are public. Felony and misdemeanor charges, court findings, and sentences are all part of the record. These stay with the Circuit Clerk after the case is resolved unless expungement or sealing is later ordered by the court.
Certified copies of criminal records are available at the clerk's office. You will need the case number or the name of the defendant to locate the file. Certified copies include the court's official seal and are accepted for background checks and legal filings. Standard copies are less expensive but do not carry the court seal.
To check eligibility for expungement or sealing of a criminal record in Kankakee County, visit Illinois Legal Aid Online for a detailed guide on the process under Illinois law.
Traffic Cases
Traffic violations from Kankakee County roads and state routes go through the circuit court. Moving violations, license infractions, and other traffic matters are public records. Judici lets you check the status of any traffic case by name or case number at no charge. Results show whether a fine was paid, whether a hearing is set, or whether the case is resolved.
Unpaid traffic fines can lead to a license suspension. If your license was suspended for a Kankakee County traffic matter, the clerk can confirm what is on file. Resolving open matters quickly prevents additional fees and complications.
Family Court Records
Family court in Kankakee County handles divorce, child custody and support, orders of protection, adoption, guardianship, and related matters. Most family court filings are open to the public. Some records involving minor children or sensitive personal information may be restricted by court order.
Divorce records and child custody orders are public documents. You may need certified copies of final decrees for financial accounts, insurance, relocation, or other legal needs. The clerk's office can provide certified copies of final orders on request.
If you need help with a family law case in Kankakee County, Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides on divorce, custody, and protection orders. You can also call Illinois Court Help at (833) 411-1121 for free phone guidance on weekdays.
Requesting Copies of Court Documents
In-person requests are made at 450 East Court Street in Kankakee. Standard copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and include the court's official seal, which is required for most legal purposes. Bring the case number to speed up the search. If you do not have it, staff can look the case up by name.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request that includes the case number, the specific document you need, and a check or money order for the estimated fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the clerk to return your documents. Call first to confirm the exact fee amount.
Legal Help and Self-Help Resources
Illinois Legal Aid Online is a free resource for anyone dealing with a court matter in Kankakee County. The site has guides on most court topics and tools to help you prepare forms without hiring an attorney. A chat feature is also available for real-time questions.
Illinois Court Help at (833) 411-1121 provides free phone guidance on weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff can explain the court process and help you figure out what to do next.
Illinois Public Records Law
Court records in Illinois are open to the public under the Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140. The Circuit Clerk Act at 705 ILCS 105 sets out the clerk's obligations for maintaining and releasing those records. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and adoption filings are not open to the public. The clerk will identify any restrictions on a specific request.
Cities in Kankakee County
Kankakee County includes the city of Kankakee, along with Bourbonnais, Bradley, Manteno, and other communities. The city of Kankakee has approximately 26,000 residents, which falls below the 50,000 threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All court records for any Kankakee County address are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Kankakee.