Search Lake County Court Records
Lake County court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk's office in Waukegan and cover civil, criminal, family, traffic, and small claims cases from the 19th Judicial Circuit. This guide covers the online case portal, in-person access at the courthouse, record copy requests, and free legal help resources for Lake County residents.
Lake County Quick Facts
Lake County Circuit Clerk
Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein runs the Circuit Clerk's office at 18 North County Street in Waukegan. The office maintains all court records for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers Lake County exclusively. Cases include civil suits, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters, traffic violations, small claims, and orders of protection. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), the public has the right to view most court records without a court order or attorney.
The main phone number is (847) 377-3380. Staff can help you find a case, request copies, or direct you to the right division window. The office is open Monday through Friday. If you are not sure where to start, call before you drive to Waukegan so staff can confirm what you need and how to get it.
| Circuit Clerk | Erin Cartwright Weinstein |
|---|---|
| Address | 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085 |
| Phone | (847) 377-3380 |
| Fax | (847) 360-6409 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
The Lake County Circuit Clerk website, shown below, provides court record access and contact information for the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Clerk Erin Cartwright Weinstein's office in Waukegan manages all court filings and record requests for Lake County.
Lake County Online Case Portal
Lake County offers an online case portal at the address listed below, powered by Journal Technologies. The portal lets the public search for civil, criminal, and traffic case records from the 19th Circuit. You can look up cases by party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date. Basic case summaries are available to any visitor. You do not need an account to run a basic name search or view a case docket.
Full document access requires user registration. Creating an account is free. Once logged in, you can also submit proposed orders, pay fines online, request traffic school enrollment, and pay for document copies. These added features make the portal more than just a case lookup tool. It is a full-service interface for many common courthouse tasks.
Lake County's online case portal, pictured here, gives public access to civil, criminal, and traffic records from the 19th Circuit.
Register for an account to view case documents; basic case searches are available without logging in.
The portal runs on a secure server. If you have trouble loading it, try a different browser or clear your cache. The office at (847) 377-3380 can confirm access hours and help if the system is down for maintenance.
Public Records Access in Lake County
The 19th Circuit Court's public records page, shown below, outlines how to request documents and what records are available in Lake County.
In-person requests at the Waukegan courthouse are also accepted Monday through Friday.
When you request copies in person, bring the case number if you have it. Staff can search by name if you do not have one. Certified copies are available for most case types. Certified documents carry the court's official seal and are required for legal purposes such as filings in other courts or government applications. Plain copies cost less and work fine for personal reference.
Mail requests are accepted. Send a written request with the case number or party name, your contact details, and a check or money order for the copy fee made out to the Lake County Circuit Clerk. Processing times for mail requests vary. In-person requests are filled the same day in most cases.
Statewide Record Search Options
Lake County court records can also appear in statewide search tools. Judici at judici.com is one option. It covers many Illinois counties and shows case docket information. Results from Judici are public but unofficial. Use them to get a case number, then verify with the clerk for official purposes.
The re:SearchIL system at researchil.tylerhost.net is a free statewide portal that has been available since May 2025. It covers cases filed from April 1, 2025 onward. For older Lake County cases, use the county's own online portal or contact the clerk's office directly.
E-filing for new case submissions and ongoing matters in Lake County is handled through efile.illinoiscourts.gov. The state e-filing system accepts most civil case types. Check the system for Lake County's current accepted case types before you file. Some case types, including certain family law and criminal matters, may still require in-person filing.
Types of Court Records in Lake County
Lake County court records fall into several broad categories. Civil cases include contract disputes, personal injury suits, small claims, and evictions. Criminal cases cover felonies and misdemeanors filed by the State's Attorney's office. Family law cases include divorce, custody, support, and adoption proceedings. Traffic cases include citations, DUI charges, and license suspension matters. Probate cases handle estates, wills, and guardianships.
Orders of protection are filed through the Circuit Clerk and are part of the public record unless sealed. Mental health cases and juvenile records are generally sealed under state law. If you are looking for a specific type of record and are unsure whether it is public or sealed, call the clerk's office before you go. They can tell you what is available without requiring you to make a trip first.
The clerk's office does not provide legal advice. If you have questions about what a court record means or how to use it in a legal matter, contact an attorney or use the free resources listed below.
Illinois Law and Record Access
Court record access in Lake County is governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). This law gives any person the right to inspect and copy court records. There is no requirement to explain why you want a record. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile files, adoption records, and certain mental health filings. The general Illinois Freedom of Information Act at 5 ILCS 140/ applies to administrative records of the clerk's office. The Illinois Records Preservation Act at 5 ILCS 160/ sets rules for how court records must be kept and stored over time, which matters for older cases.
Free Legal Help for Lake County Residents
Illinois Legal Aid Online has free guides for family law, eviction, debt, and civil legal topics. The guides cover Lake County courts and link to forms accepted at the 19th Circuit. The site also has a document builder for common court filings.
The Illinois Court Help line is free. Call (833) 411-1121 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff at ilcourthelp.gov can answer general questions about court procedures in Lake County. They do not give legal advice, but they can explain what forms to use and how the process works. Standard court forms are available at no cost through illinoiscourts.gov.
Cities in Lake County
Lake County includes several communities. The following city has a dedicated page on this site.
Other Lake County communities, including North Chicago, Zion, Round Lake Beach, Gurnee, and Lake Zurich, do not meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Court records for all Lake County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Waukegan.