Kankakee County Background Check
Background check records in Kankakee County are held by the Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse in the city of Kankakee. The county has a population of about 106,410 and sits in the northeastern part of Illinois, south of the Chicago suburbs. Court records cover criminal cases, civil suits, traffic matters, and family law filings heard in the 21st Judicial Circuit. Kankakee County offers a CourtView portal for online case searches, and you can also request records in person or by phone. The Circuit Clerk's office is the primary local source for anyone running a background check tied to this county.
Kankakee County Quick Facts
Kankakee County Background Check Records
The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's office is the official custodian of all court records in the county. Under 705 ILCS 105, the Clerks of Courts Act, each circuit clerk in Illinois must store and provide access to case files. The Kankakee County clerk holds records for criminal cases, civil lawsuits, traffic violations, family court proceedings, and more. All of this data factors into a background check when someone searches for records from this part of Illinois.
The clerk's office is at 450 E Court Street in Kankakee. You can reach them by phone at 815-936-5700. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Walk-in requests are handled during those hours. Staff can help you look up a case, order copies, or answer questions about the records on file. Bring a valid ID if you plan to review case files in person.
| Office | Kankakee County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 E Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901 |
| Phone | 815-936-5700 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | kankakeecounty.com/circuit-clerk |
Fees for copies of court records depend on the document type. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Contact the clerk's office for the current fee schedule. If you are requesting records by mail, include payment along with the person's full name and any case numbers you have.
Kankakee County Background Check Online
Kankakee County runs a CourtView Records Access Portal. This online tool lets you search court cases without visiting the courthouse. You can look up a person by name and see what cases appear in the county's system. Results show case type, filing dates, charges, and basic status. The portal does not give full case file details, but it is a solid starting point for a background check.
The CourtView search is free to use. It covers cases from the 21st Judicial Circuit, which is Kankakee County. Keep in mind that it only shows local cases. Records from other counties or from the state criminal history database do not appear here. For a wider search, also check the Illinois State Police CHIRP system. Using both tools together gives you a more complete background check for someone tied to Kankakee County.
Not all records show up in the online system. Sealed and expunged cases will not appear. Under 20 ILCS 2630, the Criminal Identification Act, Illinois law restricts access to certain criminal history data. Records that have been sealed by court order are hidden from public view, even in online portals. If you suspect a record exists but cannot find it online, contact the clerk's office directly for help.
Kankakee County Sheriff Records
The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office is another source of background check data. The sheriff runs the county jail and maintains inmate records. You can look up current inmates through the sheriff's inmate search tool. This tells you who is currently in custody, what charges they face, and bond information. It does not replace a court record search but adds another layer to a background check.
The sheriff's office sits at 3000 South Justice Way in Kankakee. The phone number is 815-802-7100. Arrest records and incident reports can be requested through the sheriff's office as well. These are separate from the court files held by the circuit clerk. Police records show the arrest side of things, while court records show what happened after charges were filed. Both matter for a thorough background check in Kankakee County.
| Office | Kankakee County Sheriff |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 South Justice Way, Kankakee, IL 60901 |
| Phone | 815-802-7100 |
| Services | Inmate search, arrest records, incident reports |
State Background Check Tools for Kankakee
The Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification maintains the state criminal history database. It covers every county, including Kankakee. A name-based search through CHIRP costs $10. Fingerprint-based checks through Live Scan vendors start at $15 and give more reliable results. The state database catches records from arrests and cases that may not sit in the Kankakee County court system, like cases from other jurisdictions.
The ISP crime statistics page shows statewide data that includes Kankakee County figures.
This page gives you a broad view of crime data across the state. While it does not replace an individual background check, it provides context for what types of offenses are common in the area.
Use the vendor lookup tool to find Live Scan locations near Kankakee. The BOI fee schedule has the current costs for all state-level background check services. Combining a Kankakee County court search with a statewide CHIRP check gives the broadest view of a person's record.
Criminal Background Check Data in Kankakee
Criminal records make up the bulk of most background checks in Kankakee County. The circuit clerk keeps files for all felony and misdemeanor cases heard in the 21st Judicial Circuit. A case file can include the complaint, arrest info, bond details, court dates, motions, plea records, sentencing data, and post-trial orders. Each document adds detail to the overall picture.
Cases move through the Kankakee County courthouse at 450 E Court Street. The state's attorney files charges, and the clerk records them. If you are looking for charging documents, plea deals, or sentencing records, the clerk's office is where to go. Older cases may need to be pulled from archive storage, which can take a few extra days. Plan ahead if your background check involves records from more than a few years back.
Clearing Records in Kankakee County
Some records that appear on a Kankakee County background check can be expunged or sealed. Expungement destroys the record. Sealing hides it from public searches. Both change what shows up when someone looks through court files. Not every case qualifies, though. Dismissed charges and acquittals are usually eligible for expungement. Certain convictions can be sealed after a waiting period based on the offense type.
The Office of the State Appellate Defender has detailed info on eligibility and how to file. You start by submitting a petition to the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. There is no filing fee. If the court grants the order, the Illinois State Police charges $60 to process it. Once that is done, the record will no longer show on most Kankakee County background check searches. A local attorney or legal aid group can help if you have questions about whether a specific case qualifies.
Public Safety Records for Kankakee
The Illinois Sex Offender Registry is a free tool. Search by name or by address to see registered offenders in Kankakee County. The registry shows names, photos, home addresses, and offense details. It updates on a regular basis and is separate from the court record system.
Under 5 ILCS 140, the Freedom of Information Act, you can request certain public records from agencies in Kankakee County. Police departments in Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley, and other local towns handle their own records requests. Arrest reports and incident data from these departments can add context beyond what court files show for a background check. Contact each department for their FOIA process and any fees that apply.
Nearby Counties
Kankakee County borders several counties in northeastern Illinois. People with ties near county lines may have court records in more than one place. Check these neighboring counties for a more complete background check.