Criminal records in Cook County, Illinois, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CookCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Cook County. The Circuit Court of Cook County, the Cook County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court each maintain records that may be relevant to a criminal records search.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cook County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Cook County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official copy or just case details.
Through CookCourt.us
Start at CookCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Cook County. You can search using a person's name or case number to find criminal case details.
Online Official Sources
- Clerk of the Circuit Court online case search — The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County provides online case information as a public service. You can look up criminal cases by name or case number. Note that the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy governs what information is available remotely.
- Cook County Sheriff's Inmate Locator — To find someone currently detained in Cook County Jail, use the online inmate locator. Search by name or booking number.
- Illinois Department of Corrections — For individuals serving state prison sentences, use the IDOC Individual in Custody Search. You can search by last name, IDOC number, or birthdate.
- Illinois State Police — The Bureau of Identification maintains the state's criminal history record information (CHRI). Individuals can request their own records, and authorized agencies can request background checks through this office.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the Richard J. Daley Center or at one of the suburban district courthouses. Public access terminals are available for case lookups. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to request copies.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include any applicable fees by check or money order.
- Sheriff's Office records: Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Cook County Sheriff's Office for arrest reports, booking records, or other law enforcement documents.
- State criminal history: Request a criminal history transcript from the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification by submitting a fingerprint-based application. Details are available through the ISP Bureau of Identification.
What you need to begin a search:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if known)
- IDOC number or booking number (for custody searches)
Search Cook County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Illinois circuit courts use a standardized case number format:
- Year — The two-digit or four-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 2024).
- Case type code — A letter or letter combination indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- CR — Criminal felony
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- DT — DUI/traffic-related criminal
- MC — Miscellaneous criminal
- Sequence number — A unique number assigned sequentially within that year and case type.
For example, a case number like 2024 CR 012345 refers to a felony criminal case filed in 2024. Enter this number into the Clerk's online case search or provide it at the clerk's counter for faster retrieval. Using the case number avoids the ambiguity that can come with common names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cook County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., 720 ILCS 5/18-2 for armed robbery). |
| Severity | Felony (Classes X, 1, 2, 3, 4), Misdemeanor (Classes A, B, C), or petty/business offense. |
| Amended charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or dropped by the State's Attorney during the case. Amended charges replace or supplement the original filing. |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed; proceedings not yet concluded.
- Active — Case is currently being heard or awaiting a scheduled event.
- Disposed — A final outcome has been reached (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All post-disposition matters (sentencing, probation, fines) are completed.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss discovery, motions, and potential plea negotiations.
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented.
- Sentencing — Judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review/status hearing — Court checks compliance with probation, supervision, or other conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict. |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted after trial. |
| Dismissed / Nolle prosequi | State drops the charges; case does not proceed. |
| Stricken off with leave to reinstate (SOL) | Case removed from the active calendar but may be refiled within a set period. |
| Finding of no probable cause | Judge determines insufficient evidence at preliminary hearing. |
| Supervision | A non-conviction disposition under Illinois law (730 ILCS 5/5-6-3.1); if completed successfully, the charge does not result in a conviction. |
The Criminal Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County handles felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as petitions to expunge or seal records.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cook County
Certified copies carry the clerk's seal and are accepted by courts, employers, and government agencies. Here is how to obtain them:
From the Clerk of the Circuit Court
- In person: Visit the Criminal Division clerk's office at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. Request certified copies at the records counter. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of the Circuit Court specifying the case number, defendant's name, and the documents needed. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Bulk data requests: For compiled court record data, submit a written request under the Circuit Court's Bulk Electronic Data Dissemination Policy.
From the Cook County Sheriff's Office
Arrest reports, booking photos, and other law enforcement records are available through a FOIA request to the Sheriff's Office. Requests can be submitted online, by mail, or by email. Include as much identifying information as possible (full name, date of birth, date of arrest, incident number).
From the Illinois State Police
For a comprehensive state criminal history report, submit a fingerprint-based request to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. This is the official state repository for criminal history records in Illinois. Individuals may request their own records; employers and agencies must follow the procedures outlined under the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635).
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cook County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court document copies (non-certified) | $2.00 per page | Standard rate at the Clerk of the Circuit Court per the Clerk's fee schedule. |
| Certification fee | $6.00 per document | Added to copy costs when a certified copy is requested. |
| Criminal history transcript (ISP — individual request) | $20.00 | Fingerprint-based; submitted to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. |
| FOIA request (Sheriff's Office) | First 50 pages free; $0.15 per page after | Per the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). |
Processing Times
- In-person court record copies: Typically available the same day if the file is at the courthouse.
- Mail requests to the Clerk: Allow 2–4 weeks depending on volume.
- FOIA requests (Sheriff's Office): The Sheriff's Office must respond within 5 business days under Illinois FOIA. Complex requests may receive a 5-business-day extension.
- ISP criminal history reports: Processing times vary; electronic submissions are generally faster than paper. Allow several weeks for mail-in requests.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the issuing office before submitting payment. The Clerk of the Circuit Court's fee schedule is established under 705 ILCS 105/27.2a.