What are Joliet Public Records?
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act describes public Joliet records as reports, writings, documents, records, photographs, and virtual data created or maintained for transacting public business. Illinois law provides for the presumption of public access to these records except otherwise stated by law. However, the act states that records that contain the following information is not considered public:
- Trade secrets
- Personal medical information
- Security measures, vulnerability assessments, and response plans
- Communication between a government entity and a representing auditor or attorney, if the record would not be subject to discovery in a court case
- Security details of surveys, investigation reports, and system safety program plans
- Certain criminal history record information
Joliet Crime Statistics
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program publishes crime statistics for Joliet. According to the UCR, Joliet recorded a total of 2,911 crimes, including 751 violent crimes and 2,160 crimes. Overall, larceny-theft was the most common crime with 1,736 reported cases, while murder and nonnegligent manslaughter were the least, with 18 cases. The second and third most common crimes were aggravated assault and burglary, with 581 and 256 cases respectively. Other reported crimes were 99 robberies, 168 motor vehicle thefts, 47 cases of arson, and 53 rape incidents.
Are Joliet Criminal Records Public?
The Illinois State Police (ISP) maintains and issues Joliet criminal records. Illinois law requires that criminal records be made public and obtainable by all residents. However, anyone seeking criminal history information on another individual must notify the person and obtain their written and signed permission. Note that accessible information for third-party requests may be restricted to conviction information only. Interested persons may request Joliet criminal history information from the ISP.
How to Obtain Joliet Police Reports and Arrest Records
Anyone seeking a Joliet police report may send an FOIA request to the Joliet Police Department (JPD). Interested persons may request police reports online or in person. To order online, create an account or submit an anonymous request. Joliet residents may also obtain reports in person, or send written requests by mail or fax. Ensure that the request contains important details of the incident, such as the names of involved parties, the location and date of the incident, and a detailed description. The first 50 pages of a standard-sized black and white copy are free. Additional copies cost 15 cents per page. The JPD may also produce colored copies of police reports at 15 cents per page. Allow five business days for processing private requests or up to 21 business days for commercial requests. Send the request to the JPD or visit in person at:
Joliet Police Department
Records – FOIA Officer
150 West Washington Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Fax: (815) 724-3260
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Joliet
Information on Joliet sex offenders is obtainable on individual databases provided by both the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Searching through the ISP's online database, Joliet residents may find sex offenders by name, zip code, city, status, and offender type. The registry also allows residents to search specifically for homeless sex offenders. The search results include crime information, each offender's address, and booking photographs. The results also classify each offender into the following categories:
- Sexual predator
- Sexually dangerous person
- Murderer
- Sexually violent person
The IDOC also provides a sex offender registry where Naperville residents may access a list of sex offenders. Interested persons may sort the list by name, IDOC number, city, zip code, and release date.
How to Find Joliet Inmate Records
Interested persons may find Joliet inmate records using registries provided by the Will County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and the Kendall County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). Using the WCSO's inmate search, Joliet residents may find inmates by name, subject number, housing facility, booking number, and booking date. The search results display each inmate's demographic information, booking history, bond information, charge description, and docket number.
The KCSO's inmate search page provides a list of inmates, also detailing demographic information, booking history, court dates, and charge description. The database also includes an offense date, docket number, sentence date, court disposition, and the inmate's booking photograph.
In addition to inmate databases provided by the WCSO and the KCSO, Joliet residents may also find inmate records using the Illinois Department of Corrections' searchable online database.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Joliet?
Inmates may receive visitors at the Will County Adult Detention Facility every day of the week. All visitors call (815) 774-7950 to schedule visits at least 48 hours in advance. Visitation approval is on a first-come, first-served basis and is dependent on the number of available booths. Each visitor must be at least 17 years old. Younger persons may only visit in the company of a legal guardian or parent. In addition, each inmate has up to two 30-minute visits per week and is allowed to receive a maximum of two persons per visit.
Visitors must present valid government-issued identification upon entry. The ID must carry the visitor's address and a picture. The WCSO will not approve a visit if the visitor was released from the facility within the last 30 days.
Persons visiting the Kendall County Detention Center must schedule visits by calling (830) 249-4989. Female inmates may receive visitors from 8:00 am to 11 am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from 1:00 pm to 4: 00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. For male inmates, visits are from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and from 8:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Visitors must arrive at least 10 minutes in advance or risk losing the visit. Each inmate may receive a maximum of two visits per week, each lasting up to 20 minutes. The Kendall County Detention Center may deny entry to persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or persons dressed inappropriately. Both detention centers allow video visitations.
Court Records
The Will County Circuit sits in the city of Joliet and provides public access to all non-confidential Joliet court records. The Circuit Court is the county's highest court, with general jurisdiction over all cases. The Will County Circuit Court may also share jurisdiction with the Illinois Supreme Court over habeas corpus, mandamus prohibition, and revenue. However, the Circuit Court may not hear these cases if the Supreme Court accepts jurisdiction.
Location of Courts in Joliet
Will County Circuit Court
14 West Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 727-8592
Fax: (815) 740-8074
Will County Circuit Court
River Valley Justice Center
3208 West McDonough Street
Joliet, IL 60431
Phone: (815) 727-8592
Fax: (815) 740-8074
Will County Circuit Court
Will County Court Annex
57 North Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 772-8592
Fax: (815) 740-8074
Are Joliet Court Records Public?
Most Joliet court records are considered public information. Under Illinois law, all Joliet residents may obtain public court records from the Will County Circuit Court upon request. However, the court does not entertain requests for records of juvenile proceedings, except the requestor is the juvenile's parent, an attorney, or a legal representative.
Can You Look up a Joliet Court Case Online?
The Will County Circuit Court Clerk provides online access to court records through a case lookup function. Each requestor must provide an email address to receive a unique password for full access to the court's online database. Residents may then find online court records by party name, case number, ticket number, or business name.
How to Obtain Joliet Court Case Records
Interested persons may obtain Joliet court records from the Will County Circuit Clerk's Office. Mail requests require sending written requests to the Clerk's Office. Ensure that the request includes the case type, names of parties involved, court disposition, dates of hearings and judgment, and all other known case details. Send the request to the Clerk's Office or visit in person using the following details:
Will County Circuit Court
14 West Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 727-8592
TTY: (800) 526-0844
Fax: (815) 740-8074
The Will County Clerk's Office also provides public electronic terminals requestors may use to view court case records. Interested persons may also request copies of desired court records in person.
What are Joliet Vital Records?
Joliet vital records are government records that record important life events that take place in the city. These vital records include marriage records, birth records, death records, and divorce records. Under Illinois law, some vital records are only accessible by the persons named on the records or other people who can prove a direct and tangible interest in the record.
Where and How to Obtain Joliet Divorce Records
The Will County Circuit Clerk maintains records of divorces finalized in the city. Persons interested in obtaining copies of Joliet divorce records may contact the Circuit Clerk's Office by mail, fax, or in person. Joliet residents may send written requests containing the names of the divorced parties, date of divorce, and other related details that are part of the final judgment. Send the request by mail or visit:
Will County Circuit Court
14 West Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 727-8592
TTY: (800) 526-0844
Fax: (815) 740-8074
Where and How to Get Joliet Marriage Records
The Will County Clerk maintains records of marriages that take place within the county. However, Joliet marriage records are only accessible by the following persons:
- Either party to the marriage
- A parent of either party
- An adult child of either party
- Members of the public if the request is in the public interest and not for commercial or private benefit
- A genealogist for records at least 50 years old
Eligible persons may obtain records via mail, email, or in person, by submitting a completed marriage certificate application. Fill the form with the names of the married parties, the marriage date, and the requestor's personal contact details. If the requestor is not a party to the marriage, the person must specify a relationship with the individual named on the record. A certified copy costs $9. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4. The requestor must also submit a copy of one of the following valid government-issued photo IDs:
- Illinois driver's license
- US military identification card
- Illinois identification card
- Out-of-state driver's license or identification card
- United States naturalization certificate.
- United States Passport
Send the completed form, payment, and ID to:
Will County Clerk's Office
Attention: Vital Records
302 North Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Interested persons may also visit the Clerk's Office in person or send an email to vitalrecords@willcountyillinois.com.
Where and How to Find Joliet Birth Records
The Will County Health Department maintains records of all births in the county since 1985. Copies of Joliet birth records are only available to the person named on the record if of adult age, the person's parents, and other requestors that can prove eligibility. To obtain a birth record, download and complete a birth record request form, also available in Spanish. Filling the request form requires the child's full name, date of birth, and hospital of birth. The form also requires the current legal names of both parents, their dates of birth, the requestor's full name, and contact information. The first copy of a birth record costs $12, and $4 for each extra copy of the same record purchased at the same time. Send the completed form, payment, and a copy of a valid ID to:
Will County Health Department
501 Ella Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: (815) 727-8639
Fax: (815) 846-1556
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (Closed from noon to 1:00 pm), Monday through Friday
Alternatively, send the documents by email to vital records@willcountyhealth.org or visit the Health Department in person.
Where and How to Find Joliet Death Records
Joliet death records are available from the Will County Health Department. Death records are not public and are only issued to a relative of the deceased person, or other persons with documentation to prove a valid interest in the record. If eligible, download and complete a death record application form in English or in Spanish. The first copy costs $16, and each additional copy costs $8. Send the completed form, valid government-issued ID, and payment by mail or email to the Health Department. Requestors may also visit in person, using the details below:
Will County Health Department
501 Ella Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone: (815) 727-8639
Fax: (815) 846-1556
Email: vitalrecords@willcountyhealth.org
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (Closed from noon to 1:00 pm), Monday through Friday
