Search Macon County Court Records
Macon County court records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Decatur and include civil, criminal, family, traffic, and probate cases from the 6th Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to access Macon County court records online and in person, how to get copies, and where to find free legal help for county residents.
Macon County Quick Facts
Macon County Circuit Clerk
Circuit Clerk Sherry Doty's office is at 253 East Wood Street in Decatur. The clerk maintains all official court records for Macon County, which is served by the 6th Judicial Circuit. Cases in the system include civil suits, criminal felonies and misdemeanors, family law matters, traffic violations, small claims filings, and probate proceedings. Under 705 ILCS 105/16(6), most court records are open to the public. You do not need a lawyer or a court order to view them.
The main phone number is (217) 424-1454. The fax number is (217) 424-1350. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. If you plan to visit, bring the case number if you have it, or the party name and approximate year of filing. For complex or large requests, call ahead so staff can prepare.
| Circuit Clerk | Sherry Doty |
|---|---|
| Address | 253 East Wood Street, Decatur, IL 62523 |
| Phone | (217) 424-1454 |
| Fax | (217) 424-1350 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Online Case Search for Macon County
Macon County court records can be searched online through Judici at judici.com. The 6th Judicial Circuit participates in Judici, which means you can search by party name or case number and view docket entries for Macon County cases at no cost. Docket entries show case activity: what was filed, when hearings were held, and what orders were entered. They are summaries, not full case documents.
Judici is public but unofficial. Use it to find a case number or check status before calling or visiting the courthouse. For official or certified documents, you must contact the clerk's office in Decatur. Judici is particularly useful for civil and traffic case lookups.
The re:SearchIL portal at researchil.tylerhost.net is a free statewide case search available since May 2025. It covers cases from April 1, 2025 onward. For older Macon County cases, use Judici or the clerk's office. E-filing for civil matters in the 6th Circuit is available through efile.illinoiscourts.gov.
Free Legal Resources for Macon County
The Illinois Legal Aid Online website, shown below, offers free legal resources for Macon County residents navigating the court system.
ILAO provides guides on civil, family, and criminal matters, and a document builder for common court forms.
Illinois Legal Aid Online covers procedures used in the 6th Judicial Circuit and links to legal aid organizations serving Decatur and Macon County. If you are dealing with a divorce, eviction, custody matter, or criminal case without a lawyer, start here before you go to the courthouse. The document builder can generate forms that are accepted at the Decatur courthouse.
The Illinois Court Help line at (833) 411-1121 is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Staff at ilcourthelp.gov answer questions about court procedures. They do not give legal advice, but they can explain what forms to use and how to file a case in Macon County. Standard court forms are available free at illinoiscourts.gov.
Types of Records in Macon County Courts
The Circuit Clerk in Decatur maintains records across all case categories for Macon County. Civil cases include contract disputes, small claims, personal injury suits, and eviction proceedings from Decatur and other parts of the county. Criminal cases are filed by the Macon County State's Attorney and cover felony and misdemeanor charges. Family law cases include divorce, custody, support, and adoption matters handled by the 6th Circuit family division.
Traffic cases from Decatur and other Macon County communities are indexed alongside civil and criminal cases. Probate cases handle estates, wills, and guardianship proceedings. Orders of protection are public unless sealed. Juvenile records and mental health filings are sealed under Illinois law and are not available through standard public access requests. Call the clerk at (217) 424-1454 if you are uncertain whether a record is public.
Getting Copies of Macon County Records
In-person requests are handled at 253 East Wood Street in Decatur during regular business hours. Bring the case number if you have it. Staff can search by party name and approximate filing year if you do not. Most standard requests for indexed cases are filled the same day.
Mail requests go to 253 East Wood Street, Decatur, IL 62523. Include the case number or party name, a description of what you need, your return address, and a check or money order payable to the Macon County Circuit Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Mail processing times depend on the complexity of your request and office volume.
Certified copies carry the court's official seal. They are needed for legal purposes such as filings in other courts or government applications. Plain copies cost less and work for personal reference. Confirm which type you need before you pay for copies.
Illinois Law on Record Access in Macon County
Court record access in Macon County is governed by 705 ILCS 105/16(6). Any member of the public can inspect and copy court records without providing a reason. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile files, adoption cases, and certain mental health matters. The Illinois FOIA law at 5 ILCS 140/ applies to administrative records of the clerk's office. The Illinois Records Preservation Act at 5 ILCS 160/ governs how older Macon County records must be retained and stored.
Cities in Macon County
Macon County includes Decatur and several smaller communities. Decatur has a dedicated page on this site.
Other Macon County communities, including Forsyth, Maroa, Mt. Zion, and Niantic, do not meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Court records for all Macon County communities are filed with the Circuit Clerk in Decatur.