What are McLean County Public Records?
As defined by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, McLean County public records are documents created, used, or under the control of any public agency, including the following:
- Reports;
- Writings;
- Forms;
- Letters;
- Photographs;
- Books;
- Papers;
- Maps;
- Memoranda;
- Microfilms and tapes;
- Cards;
- Recordings;
- Electronic data processing records;
- Other types of records, regardless of physical form or characteristics;
This law allows people to examine, observe, and request copies of public records. However, there are some records maintained by public agencies that do not fall under this rule. Examples include:
- Records exempted under federal or other state statutes;
- Any information that may compromise a person's right to privacy;
- documents compiled by any public agency for administrative enforcement proceedings;
- Some criminal history record information, especially those involving juveniles;
- Records that pose a threat to the security and safety of correctional institutions and detention centers;
- Trade secrets or information on commercial or financial transactions;
- Bidding information;
- Information on building and infrastructure that may compromise security;
- Library records that identify its users with specific materials;
McLean County Crime Statistics
The Illinois State Police Department compiles and publishes an annual crime summary of index offenses reported to various county law enforcement bodies. According to 2017 reports, McLean county recorded a 2.9% decline in crime rate than data compiled in 2016. The county recorded a net total of 3,211 reported offenses in the year of which property crimes were the most recurring, with 2,668 reported incidents. Larceny-theft was the most common category of all reported crimes with 2,162 incidents, followed by burglary and motor vehicle theft, which reportedly occurred 402 and 115 times, respectively. On the other hand, aggravated assault was the most recurring offense of the violent crime subset, with 317 incidents within the year. In comparison, rape and robbery followed closely with 134 and 66 reported incidents, respectively.
Are McLean County Criminal Records Public?
The Illinois State Police, Bureau of Identification makes McClean County criminal records open to the public, according to 20 ILCS 2635/1 et seq. Interested persons may request McLean criminal records from the department.
Criminal history background checks may be obtained through various means, depending on the type of check required. The records made available to the requesting party primarily rely on their requesting authority and the request’s purpose. However, in compliance with state laws, most conviction information is disseminated to the public.
Requesting parties who wish to obtain name-based checks must enroll with the State of Illinois using a valid Illinois driver’s license. The enrollee will then be issued a Digital Certificate or ID, which they may use to conduct searches on the Illinois Criminal History Information Response Process. Researchers must search using the subject's name and any other relevant information required by the prompt.
On the other hand, requesters may get fingerprint-based background checks through any licensed live scan fingerprint vendors listed by the Illinois State Police Department. The McLean County Sheriff’s Office also provides this service at:
104 West Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5034
Fax: (309) 888-5072
The Sheriff’s Office encourages requesters to call before visiting.
How to Obtain McLean County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
McLean County arrest records and police reports are obtainable from the local police department where the incident occurred:
Bloomington Police Department
305 South East Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 434-2290
Central Illinois Regional Airport Police Department
3201 CIRA Drive
Bloomington, IL 61704
Phone: (309) 663-7383
Chenoa Police Department
239 Green Street
Chenoa, IL 61726
Phone: (815) 945-7619
Colfax Police Department
307 North Harrison Street
Colfax, IL 61728
Phone: (309) 723-6241
Danvers Police Department
105 North Broadway Street
Danvers, IL 61732
Phone: (309) 747-3700
Gridley Police Department
P.O. Box 168
Gridley, IL 61744
Phone: (309) 747-3700
Heyworth Police Department
108 South Buchanan Street
Heyworth, IL 61745
Phone: (309) 473-2811
Hudson Police Department
217 Shiner Street
Hudson, IL 61748
Phone: (309) 726-1001
Illinois State University Campus Police
700 West College Avenue
Normal, IL 61790
Phone: (309) 438-8631
Illinois Wesleyan University Campus Police
110 East Graham Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 556-3185
Le Roy Police Department
110 South East Street
Le Roy, IL 61752
Phone: (309) 962-3310
Lexington Police Department
329 West Main Street
Lexington, IL 61753
Phone: (309) 365-3871
McLean Village Police Department
121 South Hamilton Street
McLean, IL 61754
Phone: (309) 874-2731
Normal Police Department
100 East Phoenix Avenue
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 454-9522
How to Find Sex Offender Information in McLean County?
All information regarding sex offenders in McLean County is submitted to the State Police by the McLean County Sheriff’s Office and is available on the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. Interested persons may search offenders on the registry by their names, registration numbers, addresses, and proximity to specific locations within the county. The registry also provides information relating to offender compliance status, changes to their locations, and relevant online IDs, including email addresses and social media handles. McLean County residents may also opt to subscribe to the Sheriff’s Email Alert System to receive relevant updates about offenders in the county.
How to Find McLean County Inmate Records?
Interested individuals can access inmate records via the Online Detainee Locator System. This tool is a statewide repository and contains information on all inmates housed in any Illinois jail. Interested individuals can search the portal by inputting the inmate’s biological data, such as name, date of birth, and birth county, in the provided search box. If the inmate’s A-number is available, the record seeker can also provide it.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in McLean County Jail?
The McLean County Sheriff’s Office allows family and friends to visit individuals incarcerated in the McLean County Detention Center. Visiting hours depend on the inmate's housing unit. Each inmate can receive visitors three times a week and for up to thirty minutes each. The jail provides video visitation at the jail facility. Interested individuals can contact the jail through the phone before visiting for information about the inmate’s location, visiting hours, and other inquiries. The facility’s address is:
Mclean County Detention Center
104 West Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701-5005
Phone: (309) 888-5065
Fax: (309) 888-5072
Court Records
Illinois’ trial court system includes Circuit Courts, Administrative Adjudication, and Court of Claims. Listed below is the address and contact information of the only courthouse located in McLean County, Illinois.
McLean County Circuit Court
McLean County Law and Justice Center
104 West Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
Fax: (309) 888-5281
Are McLean County Court Records Public?
According to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, McLean County court records are open to the public. The McLean County Clerk provides access to its records, provided that they do not fall under exceptions. Some state and federal statutes prohibit access to some information, and the McLean County Clerk will not release records that contain such data to the public. Examples of confidential McLean court records include those that have information that may interfere with a law enforcement proceeding, some private information contained in a public record, or any information that, if released, could undermine a person’s right to a fair trial, to mention a few.
How to Obtain McLean County Civil Court Case Records?
The McLean County Circuit Court Clerk performs administrative functions for the McLean county court, including maintaining civil court cases heard in court. All non-confidential records are housed on the Public Access Record System and are accessible by interested members of the public. Records may be searched by the plaintiff/defendant name or by case number. Alternatively, requests for court records may, in writing, go to the office of the Circuit Clerk at:
104 West Front Street
Room 303 / 404
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
How to Obtain McLean County Criminal Court Records?
The McLean County Circuit Court Clerk provides access to criminal court records that are open to the public. Interested persons can use the Public Access Record System to search for court documents by the name of the parties involved or case number. Record seekers may also query the Circuit Clerk by sending a written request through mail or visiting the office in person:
104 West Front Street
Room 303 / 404
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
What are McLean County Vital Records?
McLean County vital records are official documents that contain information on life events. They include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates or licenses, and divorce records (dissolution of marriage and civil union).
The McLean County Clerk office is the county's central repository of birth, death, and marriage records. In contrast, the office of the Circuit Court Clerk manages divorce records. Requesters may obtain copies of these records from relevant offices if they meet the state’s eligibility requirements. Birth and death records are also maintained and disseminated by the McLean County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Thus, vital records are obtainable at the state and county levels.
Where and How to Obtain McLean County Divorce Records?
McLean County divorce records are managed and issued by the McLean County Circuit Court Clerk. These are retrievable on the county’s Public Access Record System, which users can search by the divorcees’ names, the divorce’s filing date, or the file’s case number.
Requesters may also access divorce records by sending a written request, indicating all relevant divorce information to:
104 West Front Street
Room 303 / 404
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5301
The Illinois Department of Health can issue copies of Verification Letters for Dissolution of Marriage or Civil Union for $5 each (additional credit card charges may apply if requesting through fax). To access these documents, the record seeker should Fax: (217) 523-2648 or submit 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
Where and How to Get Public McLean County Marriage Records?
The Office of the McLean County Clerk keeps McLean County marriage records and records of civil unions licensed and held within county limits. Interested members of the general public may request records of marriages/civil unions at least 50 years old. Interested and eligible persons may request records by querying the county clerk’s office in person, by applying online, or completing and submitting an Application For a Certified Copy of Vital Record along with the fees indicated on the form to:
County Clerk
Government Center
115 East Washington Street
Room 102
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
Mailing Address
McLean County Clerk
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
For online requests, applicants will need to complete an e-form and input payment details. They will receive a code confirming that the transaction was successful. Upon successful transaction, they are to upload a copy of their valid I.D. on the web page and also send the document through email or fax to (309) 888-5932. The Clerk will then return the requested copies through the mail.
The Illinois Department of Health can also provide information copies of McLean County marriage certificates. An information copy only contains the names of the couple and the event’s date and location. The State Office will charge $5 per copy of a Marriage Verification Letter. Additional charges may apply for requests made through fax. The requester can obtain copies through fax, by sending a written request via mail, or visiting the office in person:
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 McLean County
Confidential marriage records are available at the McLean County Clerk's Office. Only the spouses and partners in the marriage or civil union can access a record from the office within 50 years of the event as per Illinois state laws. Interested individuals can obtain copies of a McLean County marriage certificate by requesting online, in person, or by submitting a completed Application For a Certified Copy of Vital Record form to:
County Clerk
Government Center
115 East Washington Street
Room 102
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
Mailing Address
McLean County Clerk
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
The requesting party will need to provide a valid means of identification or proof of relationship before obtaining copies of a McLean County marriage record.
The requesting party will be required to fill an e-form and provide the necessary payment information to successfully order copies online. After payment, the applicant will need to upload a copy of a valid I.D. online and send another copy through email or fax to (309) 888-5932. The Clerk will verify the transaction and return the requested marriage certificate by mail.
Where and How to Find McLean County Birth Records?
McLean County birth certificates are within the Illinois Department of Health and the McLean County Health Department’s purview. According to
410 ILCS 535/25, these two departments will only release birth records to:
- The registrant (18 years and above);
- The registrant’s parents;
- The registrant’s legal guardian or legal representatives.
Interested parties can order copies online, in person, through fax, or by sending a completed Illinois Birth Records form to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Phone: (217) 523-2648
The requesting party must provide a copy of a valid means of identification. Certified copies of a McLean County birth record cost $15 and $2 for extra copies requested simultaneously. Interested individuals can also obtain any of these two kinds of birth certificates from the state office; apostille and surrogacy.
Alternatively, the record seeker can purchase copies online for events that occurred after January 1, 1999, from the McLean County Health Department. The requesting party should complete the e-form and provide payment details. After successful payment, the applicant should send a copy of a valid photo I.D. via email or fax. Requests can also be made by submitting a Birth Certificate Application through mail or visiting the office in person:
McLean County Health Department
200 West Front Street
Room 304
Bloomington, IL 61701
A copy of a birth certificate ordered from the county's health department costs $15. Additional copies requested together will cost $6 each.
Records of births in McLean County from 1860 to date are also available at the McLean County Clerk office. To obtain these records, the requesting party may query the office by purchasing copies online. The online purchase platform contains an e-payment portal where the applicant can complete a form and pay the required fee. Upon completion, the individual should send a copy of a valid I.D. through email or Fax: (309) 888-5932 and receive requested documents by mail.
Interested individuals can also choose to submit a completed Application for a Certified Copy of Vital Record form via mail. Applications must include a photocopy of a valid signature ID as well as the fees indicated on the form:
County Clerk
Government Center
115 East Washington Street
Room 102
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
Mailing Address
McLean County Clerk
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
Where and How to Find McLean County Death Records?
McLean County death records from 1860 to the present are obtainable by contacting the McLean County Clerk in person, through the mail, or by placing an order online. The requester must complete a form for online orders, provide payment details on the portal, and submit a valid I.D. via email or Fax: (309) 888-5932.
Under Illinois law, only the deceased's relatives, legal representatives, and persons with notarized permission from eligible parties can request copies of a death record. The Clerk will require a valid means of identification before providing access to the requested document. For mail requests, the requesting party should fill out an Application for a Certified Copy of Vital Record and submit it to:
County Clerk
Government Center
115 East Washington Street
Room 102
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
Mailing Address
McLean County Clerk
P.O. Box 2400
Bloomington, IL 61702-2400
Phone: (309) 888-5190
Fax: (309) 888-5932
The Illinois Department of Health is the statewide repository for death certificates. The state office charges $19 for certified copies of a McLean County death certificate and $4 for additional copies requested during the same period. Eligible individuals can apply for documents online, in person, through fax, or by mailing a completed Illinois Death Records form to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 E. Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Phone: (217) 523-2648
Copies of a McLean County death certificate are also obtainable from the McLean County Health Department for $17. Additional documents requested at the same period cost $8. Interested individuals can purchase copies online, visit the office physically, or mail a Death Certificate Application through mail:
McLean County Health Department
200 West Front Street
Room 304
Bloomington, IL 61701
Fax: (309) 452-8479
The requester can place orders online for events that occurred after January 1, 1999, by filling out an e-form and submitting an electronic payment. After successful payment, the applicant should send a copy of a valid photo I.D. via email or fax.
