Champaign County Background Check Records
Background check records in Champaign County are managed by the Circuit Clerk office in Urbana, Illinois. The clerk holds criminal case files, civil court records, and other public data tied to background checks in this county. Champaign County has a population of about 212,000 and includes the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. Whether you need court-level case files from the local clerk or a statewide criminal history search through the Illinois State Police, this page walks through both options for getting background check records in Champaign County.
Champaign County Background Check Quick Facts
Champaign County Circuit Clerk Office
Susan McGrath is the Circuit Clerk for Champaign County. The office is located at 101 East Main Street in Urbana. You can reach them by phone at 217-384-3725. The fax number is 217-384-3879. Visit the Champaign County Circuit Clerk website for more details on services and hours.
The clerk is the official custodian of all court records in Champaign County. Under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act gives this office the legal duty to keep and provide access to case files. Criminal cases, civil suits, family court matters, and traffic violations all get stored here. These are the records that make up a local background check in Champaign County. You can search by name or case number when you visit the office. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff will help you find the records you need. Copy fees may apply depending on the document type and number of pages.
Champaign County Circuit Clerk Contact
| Clerk | Susan McGrath |
|---|---|
| Address | 101 East Main Street, Urbana, IL 61801 |
| Phone | 217-384-3725 |
| Fax | 217-384-3879 |
| Website | champaigncounty.org/circuit-clerk |
Background Check via Illinois State Police
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification runs the statewide criminal history database. It holds records from all 102 counties, including Champaign County. You can search this database in two ways. A name-based search goes through the CHIRP system online. This costs $10 electronically or $16 by paper. The second option is a fingerprint-based background check, which is more thorough and catches aliases a name search might miss.
Under 20 ILCS 2630, the Criminal Identification Act requires the State Police to collect and maintain criminal history record information across the state. This law is what makes the central database possible. Champaign County arrest data, convictions, and court outcomes all feed into this system over time. When someone runs a state-level background check, records from Champaign County show up alongside data from the rest of Illinois.
The Bureau of Identification main page has links to all background check services and contact info for the BOI.
This page shows FAQs, service links, and instructions. The BOI sits in Joliet at 260 North Chicago Street. For most Champaign County residents, the online CHIRP system or a local Live Scan vendor is faster than making the trip to Joliet.
CHIRP Background Check System
CHIRP is the Criminal History Record Information Program. It lets you run name-based background check searches from anywhere with internet access. Champaign County residents need an Illinois Digital ID to use it. Sign up through the state PKI website. You must have a valid Illinois driver's license. The info you type in has to match your license exactly.
Once enrolled, go to the CHIRP portal and submit your search. The system gives you a Transaction Control Number. Use that TCN to pull up results later. Click the CHIRP icon in Quick Links, then enter the number. Avoid putting a period after a middle initial when searching. It causes problems with the results.
The portal explains the enrollment steps and how to check search results. Champaign County criminal history data in the state system will appear in CHIRP background check results.
Champaign County Background Check Fees
State-level background check fees are the same for Champaign County residents as for anyone else in Illinois. The ISP fee schedule has the full breakdown.
Key fees for a background check covering Champaign County records:
- Name search (electronic): $10
- Name search (paper): $16
- State fingerprint via Live Scan: $15
- FBI fingerprint check: $12
- State plus FBI via Live Scan: $27
Use the fingerprint vendor lookup to find a Live Scan location near Champaign County. Each vendor may add a service fee beyond the state charges. The Access and Review process is free if you want to check your own background check record.
Note: The local Circuit Clerk in Champaign County may charge separate fees for in-person record searches and copies.
Expungement in Champaign County
Illinois law allows certain Champaign County records to be expunged or sealed. This changes what shows up on a background check. Expungement destroys the record completely. Sealing hides it from public searches. The petition is filed in the Champaign County court that handled the original case. There is no fee to file the petition itself.
Once a judge signs the order, the Illinois State Police charges $60 to process the expungement or sealing. The Office of the State Appellate Defender has clear instructions on how the process works. Not every offense qualifies. Some records stay on a Champaign County background check permanently. Under 20 ILCS 2630, the rules for what can be removed are specific and depend on the type of case and how it ended.
Review the instructions carefully before filing. The site explains what qualifies, what can only be sealed, and the timeline for each step of the process in Champaign County courts.
Champaign County Public Safety Records
The Illinois Sex Offender Registry is free and covers all of Champaign County. Search by name or by address to see who is registered in a given area. This is a separate database from the criminal history background check system but provides overlapping public safety information.
Under 5 ILCS 140, the Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to request certain government records. This applies to state agencies and local offices in Champaign County alike. Some records that relate to a background check can be obtained through FOIA, though not all are available since other laws may restrict access to certain types of data.
Cities in Champaign County
The city of Champaign is the largest city in the county. Residents there file through the Champaign County Circuit Clerk in Urbana for any court-related background check records.
Nearby Counties
Background check records in counties near Champaign County are managed by their own Circuit Clerks. Choose a neighboring county for local details.