Public Records Resources for Kankakee, Illinois

Official government websites for Kankakee, Illinois and the surrounding area. All links point to .gov, .us, or .mil domains.

About Kankakee County

Population 110,000 residents
Area 677 square miles
County Seat Kankakee area
Established 1853
Named After the Kankakee area

Court Records & Case Information

The Key points of interest include the historic Kankakee County Courthouse serves Kankakee County, Illinois and handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The courthouse is located in the county seat of the area. Court records and case filings can be requested in person or through the Illinois online court portal.

The Kankakee County Circuit Court, situated at 450 East Court Street, is responsible for handling civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. The Key points of interest include the historic Kankakee County Courthouse also processes requests for court records, case filings, and legal documents under Illinois public records law.

Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement & Arrests

  • The facility processes thousands of bookings annually.
  • Arrest records in Kankakee County are considered public records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140), which requires agencies to respond to public records requests within five business days.
  • Citizens can request arrest records by submitting written requests to the specific law enforcement agency that made the arrest.
  • Historical arrest records may require formal FOIA requests and may be subject to fees for copying and certification.

Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records

Arrest Records

  • The process is governed by the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which ensures public access to such records while protecting individual privacy rights.

Jail & Inmate Records

  • The bond and bail process in Illinois allows for the posting of bail through cash or bond services, and information on recently arrested individuals can be obtained by contacting the detention center directly.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

Courts & Case Records

  • Copy fees are typically $2.00 for the first page and $0.50 for each additional page for standard documents, with certified copies requiring an additional fee.
  • For historical records or archived cases, researchers may need to submit formal requests and allow additional processing time.

Property & Public Records

  • The office has been digitizing historical records, and many documents dating back decades are now available online.
  • Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds provides an online document search system on their website where users can search by name (grantor/grantee), document type, legal description, or document number.
  • Certified copies typically cost $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
  • The Assessor provides property valuations, parcel identification numbers (PINs), and assessment information.
  • This tool is available on Kankakee County's website and provides valuable information for property research, though supplemented with official recorded documents for legal purposes.

Vital Records

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

  • Birth certificates in Illinois typically cost $15 for a certified copy, with additional copies ordered at the same time costing $2 each.
  • Death certificates follow a similar fee structure.
  • Processing time varies but generally takes 4-6 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at Kankakee County level may be processed more quickly if the record is readily available.
  • Marriage licenses are issued by Kankakee County Clerk's Office; couples must apply in person, provide valid identification, and pay the required fee (typically around $50-60).
  • Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the County Clerk for $5.

Business & Licensing

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

  • The Secretary of State maintains a full online business entity search at www.ilsos.gov where anyyou can look up registered businesses, view filing status, registered agents, and organizational documents.

Official Government Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I search for someone recently arrested in Kankakee County, Illinois?
To search for someone recently arrested in Kankakee County, Illinois, you can contact the Jerome Combs Detention Center. The facility provides an inmate lookup service that can be accessed online through the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office website. You may also call the detention center directly for assistance with locating an inmate. The online portal will require basic information such as the inmate's name or booking number to perform a search.
Mugshots or booking photos in Kankakee County, Illinois, can be obtained from the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office may provide access to these photos through their official website or by request at their office. It is important to note that access to certain records may be restricted under privacy laws, and you may need to provide identification or a valid reason for the request.
To obtain a criminal background check in Kankakee County, Illinois, you can request it through the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification. Locally, you may also visit the Kankakee County Sheriff's Office for guidance on the process. Typically, you will need to fill out a request form and may be required to provide fingerprints. Fees may apply, and processing times can vary.
You can look up sex offenders in Kankakee County, Illinois, by accessing the Illinois Sex Offender Registry. This online database is maintained by the Illinois State Police and allows you to search for registered sex offenders by name, address, or proximity to a specific location. The registry provides detailed information about each offender, including their current status and any restrictions.
To register to vote in Kankakee County, you can complete online registration through the Illinois State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov, visit the Kankakee County Clerk's Office at 189 East Court Street in Kankakee, or register at any Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services facility. Illinois offers same-day voter registration during early voting and on Election Day, though standard registration must be completed at least 16 days before an election. The County Clerk's Office at (815) 937-2990 can answer specific questions about voter registration and provide information about absentee ballot requests for those unable to vote in person.
Property records in Kankakee County can be accessed through the Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds of Deeds office at 189 East Court Street, Suite 202, or online through their website document search system. You can search for recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plat maps by owner name, legal description, or document number. For property tax information and assessment data, contact the county Chief County Assessment Officer at (815) 937-2995 or use the county's online GIS parcel viewer. Viewing records online is generally free, though obtaining certified copies requires a fee of $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Birth and death certificates for events that occurred in Kankakee County can be requested from the Kankakee County Clerk's Office at 189 East Court Street, Kankakee, phone (815) 937-2990, or from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records in Springfield. Certified copies typically cost $15 for the first copy, with additional copies $2 each. Processing time is generally 4-6 weeks for mail requests, though in-person requests at the County Clerk may be faster. You must provide valid identification and proof of eligibility as only immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with direct tangible interest can obtain certified copies under Illinois law (410 ILCS 535).
Business license information can be found through multiple sources depending on the business type. The Kankakee County Clerk's Office at (815) 937-2990 maintains assumed business name (DBA) registrations for businesses operating under fictitious names. For formal business entity registrations including corporations and LLCs, search the Illinois Secretary of State's business database at www.ilsos.gov, which provides free online access to all registered business entities in Illinois. Individual municipalities within Kankakee County may require separate local business licenses, so contact the specific city or village clerk where the business operates for local licensing requirements.

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