What are Elgin City Public Records?
Elgin City public records constitute any information prepared, maintained, produced, or used by state and local institutions in line with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. The act presumes all records in the custody or possession of a public body to be public records unless exempted by law. This state law, therefore, allows the public to inspect and make copies of public records. Any public agency that refuses to provide its documents on the grounds of statutory exemptions must prove by clear and convincing substantiation that the FOIA exempts the record from public inspection.
Elgin City public records include handwritten and typewritten information. It also incorporates electronic materials or documents such as information in pictures or transmitted by email. Some parts of an Elgin City public record may be hidden from disclosure or redacted if it includes:
- Documents and records exempted from the FOIA under another law;
- Private data that would create an invasion of a citizen’s privacy;
- Records compiled by a public agency for administrative enforcement actions;
- Trade secrets;
- Some kinds of criminal justice agency information on criminal history;
- Commercial or financial confidential information;
- Preliminary notes, drafts, suggestions, and memoranda;
- Materials or documents about group negotiation of matters between public employees or representatives and employing agencies, which are not part of the final agreement or contract;
- Any information employed by a public body accountable for supervising or controlling insurance undertakings or financial institutions, unless otherwise made essential by state law for exposure
Elgin City Crime Statistics
The City of Elgin Police Department publishes annual statistics of crimes that occurred in the city. According to the latest report, there were 1,665 total Part 1 crimes in 2019, a 17% drop from the previous year. Elgin City recorded one murder, 48 criminal sexual assaults, 68 robberies, 63 batteries, 47 aggravated assaults, 192 burglaries, 204 burglaries to motor vehicle crimes, 992 thefts, 55 motor vehicle thefts, and two arsons. Part 2 crimes totaled 9,378, an 8% drop from the previous year. The city's crime rate was 1,567.28 crimes per 100,000 persons, a 12.3% drop from the previous year.
Are Elgin City Criminal Records Public?
According to 20 ILCS 2635/1 et seq, criminal records are open to the public in Elgin City. Members of the public may access a criminal record by conducting a name-based or fingerprint-based search from the Illinois State Police Bureau of Investigation. An employer can also ask for a background check from the State Police. In Illinois, juvenile criminal records are unavailable to the public. There are some other exceptions granted in Section 7(1)(d)(vi) of the Illinois FOIA. They involve criminal records maintained by public bodies for administrative enforcement and any disciplinary or law enforcement agency. The exception applies when the record’s release would:
- Obstruct an unfinished investigation by the office that receives the appeal.
- Influence any correctional or law enforcement agency that receives the request, whether the case is current or unfinished or so long as it's fairly envisioned;
- Unavoidably expose the identity of a confidential source or information supplied only by the source;
- Interfere with ongoing administrative enforcement activities carried out by the body or agency who is the recipient of the application;
- Establish a significant probability of depriving someone of an impartial hearing or a fair trial; or
- Endanger the physical protection or life of any other individual or law enforcement officials.
How to Obtain Elgin City Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Interested people can access Elgin City Police reports online. Requesters must register for an account that will support the most efficient request processing and allow the records to be delivered electronically. According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the Elgin City Police Department will provide access to its records when requested. The record seeker can ask for copies of a police report or search for documents using the city's public record request platform.
The Police Department will forward requested records by email at no cost. However, interested individuals may obtain copies of a police report by contacting the city's FOIA office. They should prepare a written application, including the following information:
- The reporting person or victim’s full name and exact address;
- Nature and location of the event; and
- The report number assigned at the time of the report’s creation
Send the request, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
150 Dexter Court
Elgin City, IL 60120
Phone: (847) 931-5660
The first fifty pages are obtainable at no cost, but subsequent pages will require 50 cents per page. The first five pages are free for color copies, but extra pages will cost 50 cents per page. Processing time is five business days or 21 working days for commercial documents.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Elgin City
Sex offender information is available to the public on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. The Illinois Department of Corrections provides an Offender Search function on the registry that enables people to find sex offenders living in the City of Elgin. Interested parties can search for registered offenders by release date and filter the search by name, date range, IDOC number, county, city, and zip code. Also, the Illinois State Police website contains Elgin City sex offender information.
How to Find Elgin City Inmate Records
Anyone can contact the City of Elgin Police Department's information desk by phone to determine if an inmate is in detention at the Holding Facility Detainees Jail. The number to call is (847) 289-2500. Elgin City's City Jail temporarily holds inmates under investigation or those that await a court hearing or transfer to another facility.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Elgin City Jail?
The Elgin Police Department manages a Holding Facility that temporarily holds detainees awaiting bond hearing or bond, investigation, or transfer to a different facility. An inmate detained in the holding facility can receive immediate family members as visitors for 15 minutes. The facility's visitation hour is from 3:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. Only visitors that present a valid identification can have access to the lobby. The facility will not permit face-to-face visitation if the detainee has a disruptive or combative history. Other parties such as attorneys, clergymen, and consulate officials may visit at any time of the day. Visitation occurs at the facility jail in:
151 Douglas Avenue
Elgin City, IL 60120-5570
Phone: (847) 289-2650
Court Records
The trial court system of the State of Illinois consists of Circuit Courts, Administrative Adjudication, and the Court of Claims. There are two courts and one court location in the City of Elgin.
Kane County Circuit Court - Elgin City Branch
Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex
150 Dexter Court
Elgin City, IL 60120
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Elgin City Administrative Adjudication
Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex
150 Dexter Court
Elgin City, IL 60120
Phone: (847) 931-6110
Are Elgin City Court Records Public?
Under Illinois' Freedom of Information Act, Elgin City court records are public records unless otherwise stated. The Kane County Circuit Clerk keeps the city's court records. Interested individuals can look up court files, inspect its contents, or look up docket entries to find out what happened on a court date. A docket entry will include notes by the judge that heard the court case.
Exemptions include juvenile records and adoption records. Also, a judge can seal an Elgin City court case for privacy's sake.
Can you Look Up an Elgin City Court Case Online?
The public can look up an Elgin City court case online. Interested individuals can view court records using the search tools maintained by the Kane County Circuit Clerk. Members of the public do not need to register an account to access the city's public court records. However, the Clerk encourages attorneys and law enforcement officials to open an account.
How to Obtain Elgin City Civil Court Case Records
Interested parties can search civil court cases online using the search tool provided by the Kane County Circuit Clerk and will need to give the party name and case number on the record. The advanced search option is also available to help tailor record search for accurate results.
Alternatively, people can request copies of a civil court case in person by visiting the Clerk's Office at:
Kane County Circuit Court
Kane County Circuit Clerk Office
540 South Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
The Clerk charges $2 for copying the first page of a civil court case record. The next 19 pages will cost 50 cents each, and additional pages after the 20th page will cost 25 cents each. If the requester cannot provide a record's case number, the Clerk will request a $6 fee for the Research Department's case search. Certified record copies cost $6 each.
How to Obtain Elgin City Criminal Court Records
Criminal court cases for the City of Elgin are accessible online. The Kane County Circuit Clerk provides criminal court cases to members of the public via an e-search tool. People can search for criminal cases by inputting the case number and a party number on the provided search box. Criminal court records are also available at the courthouse. Interested parties may contact the Clerk in person at:
Kane County Circuit Court
Kane County Circuit Clerk Office
540 South Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
The first page of a criminal court record costs $2, pages 2 to 20 cost 50 cents each, subsequent pages cost 25 cents each, and a certified copy costs $6. To request a record search from the Research Department, the requester will need to pay $6 per record.
What are Elgin City Vital Records?
Vital records are official documents that provide information on significant life events that occurred in Elgin City. Examples include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, vital records are unavailable to third-parties. The Illinois Department of Health, Kane County Clerk, and Kane County Circuit Clerk issue vital records for the City of Elgin. Interested parties will need to verify their identity and pay the required fee before searching or owning copies of a vital record.
Where and How to Obtain Elgin City Divorce Records
Divorce records are available at the office of the Kane County Circuit Clerk. In Illinois, certified copies of divorce records are only available to the divorcees, legal attorneys, and anyone with a tangible or legal claim. Eligible parties can obtain certified copies of a Divorce Decree by querying the Clerk's Office at:
Kane County Circuit Court
Kane County Circuit Clerk Office
540 South Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
A copy of a Divorce Decree costs $2 for the first page, 50 cents for the next 19 pages, 25 cents for other pages, and $6 for certification. The requester will need to provide a valid ID and information about the record, such as:
- Names of the divorcees
- Casefile number
- Date and location of the event
The Illinois Department of Health can provide Verification Letters for Dissolution of Marriage or Civil Union. Interested individuals may obtain a verification document by faxing the office on (217) 523-2648 or by submitting a request via mail or in-person to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
A verification letter costs $5 per copy. Requests made through fax will attract additional Credit Card fees.
Where and How to Get Public Elgin City Marriage Records
Information copies of a marriage record are available at the Illinois Department of Health. People can request to verify if the marriage occurred or not. The state office will provide information about the record, such as the couple's names, date and location of the event, and birth dates.
A Marriage Verification Letter costs $5 plus additional charges for Credit Card transactions. The requester must provide a valid ID upon request and can obtain copies by mail, in person, or fax:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Phone: (217) 523-2648
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Elgin City
Certified copies of Elgin City marriage certificates are obtainable from the Kane County Clerk. In Illinois, marriage records are not open to the public, and the Clerk's Office can only provide a certified copy of a marriage certificate to the registrants and eligible persons, including:
- The record’s subject
- The subject’s parents
- Legal representative or guardian who have proof to that effect
- Anyone with a court order granting access to the record
- Anyone with a proven genealogical interest
Copy fees include $16 for the first copy of a record and $6 per additional copy of the same document. All fees are payable to the Kane County Clerk by check or money order. Credit or Debit Card transactions attract an additional $2.50 charge.
Requesters may obtain copies by mail or in-person by submitting a request form to:
Vital Records
719 S. Batavia Avenue
Building B
Geneva, IL 60134
The requester must provide a valid photo ID.
Where and How to Find Elgin City Birth Records
Elgin birth records may be obtainable by contacting the Kane County Clerk at:
Kane County Circuit Court
Kane County Circuit Clerk Office
540 South Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
However, the Illinois Department of Health also maintains birth records. According to the Illinois Vital Records Act 410 ILCS 535/25, birth records are only available to registrants and eligible persons, including:
- The record’s subject (When they are 18 years old or older)
- The subject’s parents
- Legal representative or guardian who have proof to that effect
- Anyone with a court order granting access to the record
- Anyone with a proven genealogical interest
The requesting party must complete an Illinois Birth Records form for a registrant who is still alive and a separate form for deceased registrants. Applicants must submit documents together with a valid ID that is readable. A birth certificate costs $10 for genealogical copies and $15 for certified copies that include all the information provided at the time of birth. These are called Long Form Certificates. Extra copies cost an additional $2.
In-person and mail-in requesters can request a $10 Short Form certified copy, which will include the following items:
- Registrant’s full name,
- Registrant’s date of birth,
- Registrant’s sex,
- Registrant’s place of birth,
- Registrant’s mother or co-parent’s maiden name,
- Registrant’s mother or co-parent’s place of birth,
- Registrant’s mother or co-parent’s age,
- Registrant’s father or co-parent’s name,
- Registrant’s father or co-parent’s place of birth,
- Registrant’s father or co-parent’s age,
- The filing date,
- The date issued, and
- The State File number
Requesters must submit applications by mail, fax, or in-person to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Phone: (217) 523-2648
In-person requesters can visit the department between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. They can make payments using a money order, personal check, exact cash, a debit card, or a credit card. Requesters who use fax will need to provide a major credit card and pay an extra $12.95 handling fee. UPS delivery will cost $19.50 extra for U.S. based requests and more for overseas applications. Mail-in requesters must include a money order or check made payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Commemorative birth certificates are available at $40 per copy. These are only keepsakes and are not official documents that prove identity. The proceeds gathered from selling these unofficial records are equally divided between the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Illinois Child Abuse Prevention Fund.
Where and How to Find Elgin City Death Records
Elgin death records may be obtainable by contacting the Kane County Clerk at:
Kane County Circuit Court
Kane County Circuit Clerk Office
540 South Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Death records are also obtainable from the Illinois Department of Health. In Illinois, only the deceased's relatives and legal representatives can request a death certificate. Third-parties will need to provide a letter of permission from eligible individuals to access a death record.
The State Department charges $19 for the first full certified copy of a death certificate and $4 for additional copies of the same record. Genealogical documents cost $10 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy. Research copies also cost $10. Requesters will need to complete an Application for Illinois Death Records form, include a valid ID that is readable, not out of date or expired, and deliver it by mail, fax, or in-person to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Phone: (217) 523-2648
In-person applicants can visit the office from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Weekdays. They can pay for the order using a personal check, a debit card, a credit card, exact cash, or money order. People who use fax must pay with a major credit card and are subject to a handling fee of $12.95. UPS delivery costs $19.50 for requests within the U.S. and more for international applications. Mail-in requesters must insert a money order or check payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
