Criminal records in Kankakee County, Illinois, are available through several channels. KankakeeCourt.us allows you to search for public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the office of the county circuit clerk. Below are detailed instructions for each method of searching and obtaining criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kankakee
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Kankakee County — online, in person, and by mail.
Online Search
- KankakeeCourt.us — enter the full name of the person to find public information on criminal court cases in the county.
- Kankakee County Circuit Clerk Website — the official site of the county circuit clerk allows case searches, including traffic violations and other categories. A last name or case number is required for the search.
- Inmate Search through Sheriff's Office — the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office provides a tool to check if a person is in custody.
- Illinois Department of Corrections — the IDOC inmate search works by last name, IDOC number, or birth date. Useful if the person has been transferred to a state facility.
- Illinois State Police — Bureau of Identification — through the ISP criminal history portal, state-level conviction information is available. To obtain your own record, fingerprint submission is required.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court office in the Kankakee County courthouse. Public access terminals allow you to view court cases on-site. Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Written Request
To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification. A completed form along with fingerprint submission is required. More details are available on the My Record ISP page.
You can also submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the relevant county department. Note: court records and materials under the chief judge's jurisdiction are not subject to FOIA.
What you need to start a search:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Kankakee Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal record. Illinois uses a standardized court case numbering format, updated in 2023 per the state Supreme Court's requirements.
The current format looks like this:
- Year — four digits (e.g., 2024)
- Case Type Code — a letter designation of the category. For criminal cases, the most common are: CF (criminal felony), CM (criminal misdemeanor), TR (traffic violation), DT (serious traffic violation)
- Sequential Number — the case's sequential number within the year
Example: 2024CF000123 means a felony criminal case registered in 2024 with sequential number 123.
Older cases may have a different format with a two-digit year. If you are unsure about the number's accuracy, contact the county circuit clerk for clarification.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kankakee
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Illinois Criminal Code (e.g., 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05 — aggravated battery) |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime, classes X, 1–4), Misdemeanor (offense, classes A–C), Petty/Business Offense |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the initial charges — reduce the severity or add new counts |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has rendered a final decision
- Closed — the case is concluded, and all obligations are fulfilled
Hearings
A criminal case typically goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant is informed of the charges and enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (for felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss evidence, possible agreements, and procedural issues
- Trial — consideration of the case on its merits
- Sentencing — imposition of punishment after a guilty plea or verdict
- Review Hearing — monitoring compliance with the sentence conditions (probation, fines)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Withheld Judgment | The court deferred judgment (often contingent on meeting certain requirements) |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kankakee
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Kankakee County. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. You will need the defendant's full name and case number (if known). Present a valid photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request with case details, a return address, and payment. Make checks payable to "Kankakee County Circuit Clerk."
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, a request is submitted to the Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification. The procedure requires fingerprint submission.
For sheriff's requests (e.g., arrest reports), use the Sheriff's Office FOIA request form.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kankakee
Fees for obtaining criminal records are determined by Illinois state law and local regulations. Below are approximate amounts based on current regulations.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50–$2.00 | Depends on the type of document; check with the clerk's office |
| Certification fee | $5.00–$10.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check through ISP (for individuals) | Varies | Depends on the type of check (fingerprint-based or name-based); details on the ISP site |
| FOIA request copies (first 50 pages) | Free | According to Illinois FOIA (5 ILCS 140); over 50 pages — at a set rate |
Processing Times
- Circuit Clerk's Office — for in-person visits, simple copies are usually issued the same day. Mail requests may take 5–10 business days.
- FOIA Requests — response within 5 business days with a possible extension of another 5 days (according to 5 ILCS 140/3).
- ISP Criminal History — processing fingerprint-based requests may take several weeks.
It is recommended to verify specific fee amounts directly with the Circuit Clerk's office or the relevant department before submitting a request, as rates may change.