What Are Kankakee County Public Records?
According to the Illinois FOIA, public records are records generated by or in possession of the county's government agencies. The law pertains to all government information regardless of its physical form. These records can be letters, forms, writings, papers, books, reports, maps, photographs, recorded information, or electronic data. However, Illinois law restricts some records from public access. Some examples include:
- Personal information in a public record
- Records prohibited from disclosure by a federal or state law
- Certain law enforcement records
- Staff personnel files, rosters, or duty post information if requested by an inmate
- Confidential and proprietary trade secrets and financial information
- Proposals for contracts, agreements, or grants where disclosure will give the requester an undue advantage
- Juvenile records
Kankakee County Crime Statistics
The Illinois Police Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program collates crime reports and makes the data publicly available. In 2018, the UCR's report showed that Kankakee County recorded eight rape incidents, one robbery, 26 aggravated assaults, 41 burglaries, 235 thefts, 20 motor vehicle thefts, and seven arsons. Kankakee County reported no homicide for the year.
The UCR's 2014 report revealed one homicide case, six rape incidents, three robberies, 18 aggravated assaults, 41 burglaries, 287 thefts, 11 motor vehicle thefts, and no arson for Kankakee County. Over the period, the county's crime rate dropped by 7.1%.
Are Kankakee County Criminal Records Public?
The Kankakee County criminal records are accessible by the public. Parties interested in accessing criminal records may request them from the Illinois State Police (ISP). Online requests are available via the Criminal History Information Response (CHIRP) at $16 per search. Users may also submit mail requests and obtain fingerprinting services at a live scan fingerprint vendor at $20 per request, excluding fingerprinting fees. Requests may be sent by mail or email to:
Illinois State Police
Bureau of Identification
P.O. Box 88727
Chicago, IL 60680-1727
Email: ISP.CONTACT@illinois.gov
How To Obtain Kankakee County Police Reports And Arrest Records?
Parties interested in accessing Kankakee County police reports and arrest records can contact the Administration Department of the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office (KCSO). Interested persons may visit the office or send completed copies of the KCSO's request form to the following address:
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office
3000 S Justice Way
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 802-7100
How To Find Sex Offender Information In Kankakee County
The ISP creates and maintains a statewide database of sex offenders. Interested parties can obtain Kankakee County sex offender information by querying the ISP's Sex Offender Registry. The search can be done by name, county, city, zip code, offender type, and the compliance status of the sex offender. The online database identifies:
- Persons convicted of sex offenses
- Persons convicted of attempts to commit sex offenses
- A person charged for a sex offense but acquitted based on insanity
Parties can also obtain Kankakee County sex offender information using the Sex Offender Mapping, an online geographical search function. Users can select a location or neighborhood on the map or enter an address in the search box to search.
How To Find Kankakee County Inmate Records
The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office provides a public online Inmate Search with details of inmates in the county. Users may find records by entering names, subject numbers, booking numbers, and housing facilities. A searcher may also specify a booking date range and restrict search results to inmates currently in custody. Alternatively, records seekers can contact the Sheriff's Office at:
Kankakee County Sheriff's Office
3000 S Justice Way
Kankakee, IL
(815) 802-7100
How Do I Visit An Inmate In Kankakee County Jail?
The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office operates the Jerome Combs and Kankakee County Detention Centers. Persons looking to visit inmates at either facility physically should schedule 24 hours in advance by calling (815) 802-7272. For remote visits, interested persons should book appointments at least 30 minutes before the last visitation on the day before the intended visit.
All on-site visits are video visits. Each inmate may receive one on-site visit per week from visitors on their approved visitation lists. Persons under 18 must also be on the inmate's visitation list and must be in the company of an adult at all times. Inmates may add up to 10 persons on their lists and see a maximum of 3 persons per visit. All visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before the visit. Persons who arrive late will only receive the remainder of their visits. Anyone who cannot make a scheduled appointment and does not call to cancel will not be able to reschedule for the week.
For remote visits, the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office requires the person that scheduled the visit to appear. All visitors must be fully dressed and behave appropriately throughout the visit. Also, the Sheriff's Office frowns at any electronic devices or weapons in view. Visits will immediately be terminated if any visitor violates a visitation rule.
Kankakee County Court Records
Kankakee County court records are official records generated during the hearing and judgment of a county case. Kankakee County has a Circuit Court that presides over civil and criminal matters. Generally, Kankakee County Circuit Court civil cases include small claims, foreclosures, landlord-tenant issues, and ordinance violations. Criminal cases handled by the court include felonies, misdemeanors, traffic and infractions, and juvenile cases. The court also handles adoption, mental health, divorce, domestic violence, and paternity cases. In addition, the Kankakee County Circuit Court presides over small claims for civil cases where the disputed amount is $10,000 or less. Interested parties can access Kankakee County court records at the courthouse at:
Kankakee County Circuit Court
450 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 936-5700
Fax: (815) 939-8830
Are Kankakee County Court Records Public?
Kankakee County court records are public records. The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk is the official custodian of court records and provides public access to persons who submit requests. The Clerk's Office entertains requests from the general public from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Mondays through Fridays. However, the office will deny requests for sealed records and court records prohibited from public access by law.
How To Obtain Kankakee County Civil Court Case Records
Kankakee County civil court records are obtainable from the Circuit Clerk's Office. The office is responsible for producing court records and providing non-confidential copies of these records to interested requestors. Applicants seeking Kankakee County civil court records should contact the court by submitting in-person requests or sending a request by mail. Each request should describe the desired record with information such as names, dates, charges, and court dispositions. Parties should submit all requests to the following address:
Kankakee County Circuit Court
450 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 936-5700
Fax: (815) 939-8830
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Alternatively, parties can search Kankakee County civil court case records online using the Circuit Clerk's CourtView platform. Interested persons can find records by name, case number, ticket or citation number, and case type.
How to Obtain Kankakee County Criminal Court Records
The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains criminal court records and provides public access to criminal court records that do not contain sensitive or private information. Anyone may provide the Clerk's Office with relevant names, charge information, court dates, court events, or other information related to the case. Parties should note that request fees may be applicable for physical copies. The Clerk's Office entertains all requests for Kankakee County criminal court records submitted using the following details:
Kankakee County Circuit Court
450 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 936-5700
Fax: (815) 939-8830
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Requesters may also use the CourtView platform to find records by entering relevant names, ticket numbers, citation numbers, case numbers, or case types.
What Are Kankakee County Vital Records?
Kankakee County vital records are official documents containing information on significant life events in the county. Kankakee County vital records include marriage records, birth records, and death records. These records are obtained from different government agencies for varying fees. However, not all vital records are open to members of the general public.
Where And How To Obtain Kankakee County Divorce Records
Interested persons can request Kankakee County divorce records from the Circuit Court Clerk's Office. Applicants may visit the Clerk's Office to provide required details in person or send mail requests. Obtaining copies of Kankakee County divorce decrees requires submitting related information such as the names of both parties and the divorce dates. All persons should submit requests to the Clerk's Office at the following address:
Kankakee County Circuit Court
450 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 936-5700
Fax: (815) 939-8830
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Interested parties can obtain divorce verification letters from the Division of Vital Records at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDHP). These letters contain limited information, including:
- The names of both parties
- Their dates of birth
- The date of the divorce
- The city and county the divorce occurred
It costs $5 to obtain a copy of a divorce verification letter. Record seekers should also send the following with their requests:
- Verification of Dissolution of Marriage Request Form
- A valid photo ID issued by the government
Requesters can order divorce verification letters by fax, mail, or in person. To order by fax, requesters should fax the completed form and ID card to (217) 523-2648 and provide the following information:
- Credit card number
- Daytime phone number
- Return address
- Signature
Processing takes seven business days, and requesters may incur additional costs such as credit card handling fees and UPS charges. Mail requests are only payable by checks. Requesters ordering divorce verification letters should send mails or visit the following address:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East, Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2732
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where And How To Get Public Kankakee County Marriage Records
The Kankakee County Clerk manages county court records. Parties interested in obtaining marriage records should fill out and submit the marriage certificate form, along with a valid government-issued ID and money orders or checks. The first copy costs $15, while each additional copy of the same record costs $6 if ordered simultaneously. Requesters should also note that certified copies are only available to the married parties or legal representatives authorized by the parties. Persons seeking Kankakee County marriage certificates should submit completed copies of the application form, checks or money orders, and self-addressed and postage-paid envelopes to the following address:
Kankakee County Clerk's Office
189 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Where And How To Get Confidential Marriage Records In Kankakee County
According to Illinois law, marriage records are open to the public. Therefore, the Kankakee County Clerk's Office does not produce or provide confidential records of county marriages.
Where And How To Find Kankakee County Birth Records
Individuals can obtain Kankakee County birth records from the County Clerk's Office. Family members interested in getting a certified birth certificate can fill out the birth certificate form and submit it with a copy of a valid government-issued ID and a check or money order. It costs $15.00 to obtain a birth record, payable via checks or money orders. Requesters can forward completed forms and documents to:
Kankakee County Clerk's Office
189 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
Interested persons should note that Kankakee County birth certificates are restricted records, only accessible to the following persons:
- The birth record holder is 18 years or older
- The parents named on the birth record
- The legal guardian of the record holder
- The legal representative of the record holder
Where and How to Find Kankakee County Death Records
Parties can obtain Kankakee County death records from the County Clerk's Office. Illinois law states that only parties who have personal or legal relationships with the deceased may obtain records. Authorized requestors include family members, relatives, and legal representatives of the deceased.
An eligible party may complete the death certificate form with the decedent's full name, date of death, and place of death. Each request costs $14 for the first copy and $8 for each additional copy. All requestors must submit valid government-issued identification along with their requests. Acceptable options include a driver's license, a state-issued ID card, and a passport. Identity cards with less than six months to the expiration date will require an additional means of identification, preferably a document with the requester's name and address. The County Clerk's Office entertains requests at the following:
Kankakee County Clerk's Office
189 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
