Kane County Court Records
Kane County court records refer to the files and documentation generated during court proceedings at the Circuit Court and its branches under the county’s jurisdiction. These include dockets, case files, transcripts, pleadings, and more. Per Illinois state laws, most of these laws are open to the public. Depending on the type of records and when they were created, court files may exist in physical or electronic form. Court records in Kane County, Illinois, cover various information related to criminal, family, civil, and other legal matters. They are considered part of Kane County Public Records and help provide accountability and transparency during the judicial process. These records also provide accurate documentation of events during court cases, making it easier to track court activities.
Are Court Records Public in Kane County?
Yes. Court records are public in Kane County, except where restricted by law or a state statute. Per the Illinois State Records Act, records created, maintained, or administered during the operation of the state are considered open. This includes reports, papers, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and other documentary material, regardless of physical form. Public access to records maintained by court clerks is also governed by the Supreme Court's General Administrative Order on Recordkeeping in the Circuit Courts.
Local residents can obtain copies of a record by submitting a request to the Kane County Circuit court clerk or using any of the available remote access options that hold electronic case information. However, access to certain records may be restricted depending on the contents. For instance, residents may not obtain copies of an expunged record. Court clerks are also permitted to deny requests for any record exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Judicial Privacy Act.
What Do Kane County Court Records Contain?
Kane County court records contain a wide variety of information related to court cases. Records may exist as sheets, physical files, electronic files, videotapes, stenographic tapes, and more. Some of the information contained in a Kane County court record includes:
- Court judgment/decrees: Outlines the final decision or instruction of the court
- Court summons and notices: Notifies named parties of their involvement in a legal process
- Court pleadings: Outlines the position of a party during a case
- Settlement agreements: Information on an out-of-court decision reached by parties
- Case disposition records: Indicates the outcome of a case
- Court motions and court orders
- Court appeal records
Where to Conduct a Kane County Case Lookup
Kane County residents can obtain copies of a court record by contacting the circuit clerk. In line with state law, the Kane County Circuit Clerk is the official court record custodian tasked with creating, maintaining, and storing all court files. The office opens between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday and is located at the following address:
Clerk of the Circuit Court
540 South Randall Road
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
How to Conduct a Kane County Case Records Search
Members of the public can look up Kane County court records using the County Clerk's online electronic service platform. Designed to provide access to court case information in the 16th Judicial Circuit, the e-service platform allows for searches using a known name or record number. It also supports different types of advanced filtering options, including the following:
- General searches
- Case searches
- Party Searches
General searches allow users to filter search results by location or search type. Available searches can also be refined to include or exclude court judgments or cases. In comparison, the case-based search provides more specific refinements. With it, users can filter results to reveal records based on the case type, case status, or the judicial officer in charge of records. Results can also be filtered to reveal cases filed within a specific period.
Party-based searches provide filtering options for different types of criteria, such as gender, ethnicity, or booking number. Users can search through records using a party nickname or business name. Searches can also be filtered by ethnicity or SO number. Requesters can also search for specific hearings with a party name, case number, attorney name, courtroom, business name, or judicial officer.
Kane County Civil Court Case Records
Kane County civil court records consist of files, documents, and records generated during civil litigation courts within Kane County. Members of the public can request civil court records by contacting the court clerk at the courthouse where the case was tried. Applicants must provide enough information for search, such as the name of the registrant on record or the case iD.
Kane County Criminal Court Case Records
Kane County criminal court records refer to the files, documents, and records generated during criminal proceedings held in courts within the county's judicial district. Most of these records are maintained by the court clerk or an online court system and can be accessed by the public. To obtain a criminal court case record in Kane County, requestors must provide specific information that can assist the search, such as the name of the registrant on record, the case ID, or the name of the adjudicating judicial officer.
Criminal court cases may be viewed in person at the local courthouse where the case was tried. Alteratively, inquirers may also be able to view or obtain copies of a criminal court case record using the Kane County Records portal. Access to information on this portal is provided per the Electronic Access Policy for Circuit Court Records of the Illinois Courts. It permits the disclosure of court records to almost anyone, including:
- Any person, business, or organization
- Any governmental agency
- Media organizations
- Entities that compile and gather information (regardless of whether it's done for profit or not)
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Online access to free court records will depend on the type of record and the date on which it was filed. The Kane County Circuit Clerk provides free access to court records via an online smart search portal. However, certain records, such as juvenile cases or records containing confidential information, may be protected from public view in compliance with state regulations. In addition, records older than four decades may be inaccessible online and only be available by visiting the courthouse.
Residents may be able to look up court records online for free using a third-party platform. These non-governmental platforms provide access to a large database of public court records compiled from multiple jurisdictions, including Kane County. Some platforms allow users to look up a fixed number of court records for free before requiring payment, while others allow unlimited online searches after registering an account.
Courts in Kane County
Kane County's court system includes a circuit court with multiple branches. It also consists of several Administrative Adjudications that oversee ordinance violations. The following are the addresses of all the courts in the county:
Kane County Circuit Court
Kane County Circuit Clerk's Office
540 South Randall Road,
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Kane County Circuit Court - Aurora Branch
1200 East Indian Trail Road,
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Kane County Circuit Court - Courthouse
Kane County Courthouse
100 South 3rd Street,
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Kane County Circuit Court - Elgin Branch
Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex
150 Dexter Court,
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Kane County Circuit Court - Judicial Center
Kane County Judicial Center
37W777 Route 38,
St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Kane County Circuit Court - Juvenile Justice Center
Kane County Juvenile Justice Center
37W655 Route 38,
St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Kane County Circuit Court - Kane County Branch
Kane County Branch Court
530 South Randall Road,
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 232-3413
Fax: (630) 208-2172
Administrative Adjudication in Kane County
Aurora Administrative Hearings
1 South Broadway,
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: (630) 256-3770
Fax: (630) 256-3789
Carpentersville Office of Adjudication
12 L.W. Besinger Drive,
Carpentersville, IL 60110
Phone: (847) 426-3439
Elgin Administrative Adjudication
Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex
150 Dexter Court,
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone: (847) 931-6110
South Elgin Administrative Adjudication
South Elgin Village Hall
10 North Water Street,
South Elgin, IL 60177
Phone: (847) 742-5780
St. Charles Administrative Adjudication
St. Charles Municipal Center
2 East Main Street,
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 377-4406
