Tazewell County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Tazewell County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Tazewell County may access publicly available information through TazewellRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records accessible through public channels may include the following categories of information:
- Arrest records and booking logs
- Court case filings, dispositions, and sentencing records
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Active and recalled warrants
- Sex offender registration entries
- Jail and inmate custody records
- Bond and bail information
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary channels through which members of the public may obtain criminal records in Tazewell County.
1. County Court Records
The Tazewell County Circuit Court maintains case files for all criminal proceedings adjudicated within the county. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk
342 Main Street
Pekin, IL 61554
Phone: (309) 477-2214
Tazewell County Circuit Clerk
Public access terminals are available within the clerk's office and allow self-service searches of case records at no charge. Staff-assisted searches and certified copies are subject to applicable fees.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate rosters. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Available records include arrest reports, booking photographs, and jail custody information. Requests may be submitted in person or in writing, and fees may apply for reproduced documents.
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office
101 S. Capitol Street
Pekin, IL 61554
Phone: (309) 477-2250
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Illinois Courts system provides an online case search portal through the Illinois e-filing and case search system. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case status, filing dates, charges, and disposition information for cases entered into the statewide electronic system. Note that not all historical records are available online, and older cases may require an in-person request.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Illinois State Police maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Individuals and authorized entities may submit requests for criminal background checks through the Illinois State Police Criminal History Information portal. Fingerprint-based background checks are required for official employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of request submitted.
Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification
260 N. Chicago Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 740-5160
Illinois State Police
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for court records to the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk by mail. Requests should include the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, approximate case dates, and a description of the records sought. Under 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies are required to respond to written requests within five business days of receipt. Applicable copying fees must be remitted prior to fulfillment of the request.
What Is Tazewell County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Tazewell County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Illinois law, a criminal record may encompass charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and probation or parole status.
The distinction between record types is significant for legal and practical purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding or plea of guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses carrying potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses with shorter potential sentences.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public disclosure under applicable law. Juvenile records are confidential under 705 ILCS 405/1-7 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest. Historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The following agencies maintain criminal records within Tazewell County:
- Tazewell County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail records, booking logs
- Tazewell County Circuit Court — court case files, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Illinois State Police — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through the criminal justice system, from initial booking through final disposition and any subsequent post-conviction proceedings.
Are Criminal Records Public In Tazewell County
Criminal records in Tazewell County are subject to public disclosure under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to inspect and copy records maintained by public bodies. As stated in the Act, "all records in the custody or possession of a public body are presumed to be open to inspection or copying."
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to members of the public. The following categories of records are subject to restricted access or exemption:
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
- Sealed or expunged records, which are removed from public access by court order
- Juvenile records, which are confidential by statute
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor provides guidance on FOIA compliance and disputes. Members of the public who believe a records request has been improperly denied may submit a Request for Review through the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor office.
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Illinois FOIA. Access to federal records is governed by the Privacy Act of 1974 and applicable FBI regulations.
How To Find Criminal Records in Tazewell County Online
Official County Resources
The Tazewell County Circuit Clerk provides online access to court case information through the Illinois Circuit Court case search. Users may search by party name or case number to retrieve case status, charges, and disposition data. The Tazewell County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster on its official website, accessible through the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office portal.
State-Level Resources
The Illinois Courts system maintains a statewide case search portal at the Illinois Courts case search page. The Illinois State Police provides background check services through the Illinois State Police criminal history portal.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as records may be distributed across county, state, and federal systems
- Be aware of date limitations — not all historical records are digitized
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Records predating electronic filing systems may not be available online and require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Tazewell County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Under 5 ILCS 140/3, public bodies are required to make records available for inspection at no charge. Members of the public may inspect criminal court records at the Tazewell County Circuit Clerk's office and use public access terminals without incurring a fee. Copying fees apply to reproduced documents.
2. Free Online Databases
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Illinois Circuit Court case search — case filings, dispositions, and status
- Tazewell County Sheriff's Office inmate roster — current custody information
- Illinois Sex Offender Registry via the Illinois State Police sex offender search
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office and may be inspected in person at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $2.00 per page (subject to change) |
| Official state fingerprint background check | $16.50 (Illinois State Police) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
Fee schedules are established pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.1, which governs clerk fees in Illinois circuit courts. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the court.
What's Included in a Tazewell County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record maintained in Tazewell County may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, booking photograph, last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the subject was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution orders, conditions of supervision, and any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations adjudicated in circuit court
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or jurisdictions
- Federal criminal records
- Records from completed diversion programs where expungement has been granted
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification or the originating court. The Illinois State Police criminal history correction process outlines the procedure for challenging inaccurate entries.
How Long Does Tazewell County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Illinois courts and law enforcement agencies are subject to records retention schedules established by the Illinois Local Records Act, 50 ILCS 205, which mandates minimum retention periods for public records. The Illinois Local Records Commission oversees compliance with these schedules.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 5 years |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 17 or 21 (offense-dependent); eligible for expungement thereafter |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County Circuit Court: Case records are retained permanently pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court records retention rules.
- Sheriff and jail records: Booking and arrest records are retained for a minimum period established by the Local Records Commission.
- Illinois State Police repository: Conviction records are retained permanently. The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains the authoritative statewide criminal history database.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and verification, with the electronic version serving as the official record.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing removes a record from public access but preserves it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement results in the deletion or obliteration of a record from official repositories. Under 20 ILCS 2630/5.2, eligible individuals may petition for expungement of qualifying arrest and conviction records. Expungement eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since the disposition.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal retention rules differ from Illinois state requirements.
Practical Implications
Conviction records may appear on employment background checks. Consumer reporting agencies are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for certain employment purposes, though convictions may be reported indefinitely for positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards in Illinois may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record.
As a practical matter, even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to 20 ILCS 2630/5.2.