What are Rock Island County Public Records?
Rock Island County public records describe all data, records, and information used for a government agency's official functions. While the Freedom of Information Act states that Rock Island public records should be available to all residents who submit requests, it also sets restrictions for some records. Examples of exempt records include juvenile records, adoption records, trade secrets, and some law enforcement records. Information that would interfere with a person's right to privacy may also be exempt.
Rock Island County Crime Statistics
According to figures published by the Illinois State Police (ISP), Rock Island County recorded 3,487 index crimes in 2018. The report breaks this into 4 criminal homicides, 66 rape cases, 61 robberies, and 403 cases of aggravated assault (or aggravated battery). Other crimes included in the report are 589 burglary incidents, 21 cases of arson, and 294 motor vehicle thefts. With 2,049 reported cases, theft was the most committed crime in the county. There were no sex acts or servitude offenses in 2018. Overall, the 2018 crime rate was 2,425.2 offenses per 100,000 persons. This is an 18.5% reduction compared to the crime rate published by the ISP in 2017.
Are Criminal Records Public in Rock Island County
Under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act, the state's criminal records are public records. Persons seeking third-party Rock Island County criminal records may make online name-based requests using the ISP's Criminal History Information Response (CHIRP) portal. Sign up using the CHIRP guide. Payment for an online request requires an eCheck or a credit card. Instead of an online request, the ISP may also provide request forms to persons interested in Rock Island criminal records. Fingerprint-based searches are also available for $20. However, this requires contacting an approved live scan fingerprint vendor. Note that fingerprint services may cost extra fees.
How to Obtain Rock Island County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Members of the public can request arrest records and police reports from the Rock Island Sheriff's Office. Obtaining a Rock Island arrest record or police report requires providing details of the incident or arrest. Residents may request records by sending written applications or visiting the Sheriff's Office in person. Required information may include the arrested persons' names, incident description, names of other involved persons, incident and arrest dates, and details on the arresting officer. Crime reports up to 50 pages are free. Thereafter, the Sheriff's Office will charge 15 cents per page. Accident reports cost $5 per document, regardless of the number of pages. Send requests or visit the:
Rock Island Sheriff's Office
Rock Island County Justice Center
1317 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 60201
Phone: (309) 794-1230
Fax: (309) 794-9979
Requestors may also contact one of the Sheriff's Office substations with jurisdiction over the incident.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Rock Island County
The Rock Island Sheriff's Office allows access to information on sex offenders registered in the county through a searchable online database. Find records through a name search or an area search. The name search requires the sex offender's first or last name. For the area search, enter the offender's address, city, and zip code. Options for the offender's zip plus code and address type are also available. The database displays the offender's name and aliases, registration number, photograph, physical description, and address. Offense details are also available, including conviction information and release details.
How to Find Rock Island County Inmate Records
The Rock Island County Jail does not maintain an online registry with information on county prisoners. Anyone interested in Rock Island County inmate records may contact the Sheriff's Office with details of the offender. Requestors may also provide arrest and sentence details. Fill the online form or directly contact the:
Rock Island Sheriff's Office
Rock Island County Justice Center
1317 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 60201
Phone: (309) 794-1230
Fax: (309) 794-9979
How Do I Visit an Inmate in the Rock Island County Jail?
The Rock Island County Jail only permits visits for approved visitors in accordance with the visitation schedule. Each inmate receives a Visitor Registration Form upon booking into the facility. The inmate must fill the form with a maximum of five individuals allowed to visit, excluding persons under the age of 18. Only persons included on the form may be approved for visits. Inmates may only change the names on the form on the first day of each month.
Visitors to the Rock Island County Jail should be at least 18 years old. Younger persons must be accompanied by legal guardians or parents with proof of relationship. The adult is also responsible for the minor and must not leave the minor unsupervised at any time. At each visit, the inmate may not receive more than four persons, including minors. Visits may not last longer than 30 minutes.
All visitors must be well behaved and avoid noise and general unruliness. Note that officials reserve the right to remove any visitor that disturbs the visitation area. Removed visitors may have visitation privileges permanently suspended.
Court Records
The Rock Island County court system includes a Circuit Court and an administrative adjudication system. The Rock Island Circuit Court exercises jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases in the county, excluding cases that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Illinois Supreme Court or Court of Claims. The Illinois administrative adjudication system mainly hears ordinance violation cases, including traffic and parking tickets, curfew violations, pet violations, curfew offenses, and other violations.
Locations of Courts in Rock Island County
Rock Island County Circuit Court
Rock Island County Courthouse
210 15th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Fax: (309) 786-3029
Rock Island County Circuit Court – Criminal Division
Rock Island County Justice Center
1317 3rd Avenue
Suite 101
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Municipal Code Enforcement System
1504 3rd Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 793-6302, extension 149
Hearings:
Rock Island City Hall
Council Chambers
3rd Floor
Room 300
1538 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
Are Rock Island County Court Records Public?
Rock Island County court records are considered public information. All residents may visit the county courts or send written applications to view desired court records or obtain copies. Note that not all Rock Island court records are public. Courts may seal records if there is enough reason to prevent public disclosure. Generally, records that contain sensitive information are not publicly accessible. Furthermore, records that may endanger persons or property, or disrupt a person's right to a fair trial, may also be kept private.
Can You Look up a Rock Island County Court Case Online?
The Rock Island County Circuit Clerk provides a Court Records Search for interested persons to access case information, court dates, and payment details. Users may search by name or case number after subscribing to the platform.
How to Obtain Rock Island County Civil Court Case Records
Rock Island County civil court case records are obtainable from the Circuit Clerk. The Circuit Clerk provides access to court records in person or by mail. Either method requires the requestor to furnish the Circuit Clerk's Office with details of the record. The requestor should provide relevant information such as names and dates. The first page of a court record costs $2, plus a record search fee of $6. The next 19 pages cost 50 cents each. After that, each page costs 25 cents. To obtain Rock Island court records, send the request to the clerk or visit using the following information:
Rock Island County Circuit Court
Rock Island County Courthouse
210 15th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Fax: (309) 786-3029
The Clerk's Office also provides certified copies of desired records. Note that certified copies may cost extra fees.
How to Obtain Rock Island County Civil Court Case Records
Record seekers can obtain copies of Rock Island County criminal court case records from the Circuit Clerk. Interested persons may send written requests by mail or visit the Clerk's Office in person. If requesting by mail, ensure to send a written application with all known details of the criminal case. Include litigant's names, charges, court dates, and a case number. Each record costs a $6 search fee, $2 for the first page, and 50 cents for each of the next 19 pages. Extra pages cost 25 cents each. A certified copy may also be available at an additional cost. Submit the request by mail or in person to:
Rock Island County Circuit Court
Rock Island County Courthouse
210 15th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Fax: (309) 786-3029
What are Rock Island County Vital Records?
Rock Island County vital records contain details of life events that take place in the county. These records describe events such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Depending on the desired record, interested persons may request Rock Island vital records from the County Clerk's Vital Records Office or the Circuit Clerk's Office.
Where and How to Obtain Rock Island County Divorce Records
The Circuit Clerk's Office provides access to copies of Rock Island County divorce records. To obtain records, provide the Clerk's Office with the divorced parties' names, case number, divorce date, court judgment, and settlement details-if known. Send the request to the court or visit:
Rock Island County Circuit Court
Rock Island County Courthouse
210 15th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201
Phone: (309) 558-3538
Fax: (309) 786-3029
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) can also provide divorce records through its Division of Vital Records. While the IDPH does not certify dissolution of marriage records, it can verify the facts of divorces finalized since 1962. Verifiable facts include names, event date, event city or county, and birth dates. Each verification costs a non-refundable fee of $5, payable by check or money order made out to "Illinois Department of Public Health". Send a completed application form with a legible copy of a valid government-issued ID to:
Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Vital Records
925 East Ridgely Avenue
Springfield, IL 62702-2737
Where and How to Get Rock Island County Marriage Records
The Rock Island County Clerk's Office provides access to marriage records. However, these records are not public and may only be requested by the following persons:
- Either married party listed on the marriage record
- An immediate family member of either married party
- Anyone with written and notarized consent from one of the married parties.
To obtain a Rock Island County marriage certificate, interested parties must complete the marriage certificate application. The first certified copy costs $15. Each additional copy of the same record costs $8 if ordered at the same time. Cashier's checks and money orders should be payable to the County Clerk. Enclose the completed form with payment and a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. Send the request to:
Rock Island County Clerk
Rock Island County Office Building
First Floor
1504 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201-8624
Phone: (309) 558-3569 (Vital Records)
Interested persons may also visit the above address for in-person records. In-person requestors may pay cash or use cards from Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.
Where and How to Find Rock Island County Birth Records
Rock Island County birth records are requestable from the County Clerk for births since 1877. Access is restricted to the following persons:
- The subject of the record, if at least 18 years old or an emancipated minor
- The subject's mother
- The subject's father, if named on the birth certificate
- A legal guardian with a court order granting access
- Any requestor with written and notarized consent from any of the above eligible persons
Each Rock Island County birth certificate costs $15 for the first copy and $8 for each additional copy of the same record purchased simultaneously. Make checks and money orders payable to the County Clerk. To request, send a completed birth certificate application along with a valid government-issued photo ID and payment. Send the request to the County Clerk or visit using the following information:
Rock Island County Clerk
Rock Island County Office Building
First Floor
1504 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201-8624
Phone: (309) 558-3569 (Vital Records)
In-person requests are also available at the above address. Visiting requestors may pay with Mastercard, Visa, Discover, or American Express cards, or make cash payments.
Where and How to Find Rock Island County Death Records
Eligible requestors may obtain copies of Rock Island County death records from the County Clerk. Rock Island death records are not public. Access is restricted to one of the following persons:
- The informant named on the death certificate
- Next of kin
- Anyone that can prove a personal or property right interest in the record
- A requester with written and notarized consent from the subject of the record
To obtain a Rock Island death certificate, complete a death record application. The first copy costs $20. Each additional copy of the same record costs $14 if purchased along with the first. Submit the application with payment and a copy of a valid government-issued ID by mail to:
Rock Island County Clerk
Rock Island County Office Building
First Floor
1504 Third Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201-8624
Phone: (309) 558-3569 (Vital Records)