River Forest, Illinois Public Records

Search official government public records, criminal records, court records, and background check resources for River Forest, Illinois.

Official Government Sources

River Forest Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official River Forest, Illinois government websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is the process for someone who is arrested in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois to go through the jail and court system?
If you are arrested in the Village of River Forest, Illinois, you will be transported to the Cook County Jail for booking and processing. During booking, officers will record your personal information, take fingerprints and photographs, and log personal belongings. After booking, you may be held pending arraignment before the Cook County Court. Under Illinois law, you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford legal representation, a public defender will be appointed. Bail may be set at arraignment depending on the charges, your criminal history, and flight risk. Criminal history records are maintained by the Illinois State Police. The Cook County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster at https://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/search/inms.asp where you can look up current detainees.
2
What are the school district and education performance data for Village of River Forest, Illinois?
River Forest, Illinois is part of the River Forest Public School District 90. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the district has an overall performance rating of "Exceeds Expectations." The district has a graduation rate of 97.3%, and the average ACT score for students is 24.4.
3
What are the school district and education performance data for River Forest, Cook County, Illinois?
The River Forest School District 90 serves the village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois. The district consists of four schools: Lincoln Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School, Willard Elementary School, and River Forest High School.

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the district's overall performance rating for the 2019-2020 school year was "Commendable," the second-highest rating available. The district's graduation rate was 97.3%, and the average ACT score was 24.3. The district also scored above the state average in all four of the Illinois State Board of Education's performance indicators: student growth, student progress, closing the achievement gap, and college and career readiness.
4
What are the crime statistics for Village of River Forest, Illinois?
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the total number of reported crimes in River Forest, Illinois in 2019 was 545. Of those, there were 4 violent crimes, including 1 murder, 1 rape, 1 robbery, and 1 aggravated assault. There were also 541 property crimes, including 1 arson, 11 burglaries, 513 larcenies, and 16 motor vehicle thefts.
5
What are the crime statistics for River Forest, Cook County, Illinois?
According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, the total number of reported crimes in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois in 2019 was 545. Of those, there were 4 violent crimes, including 1 murder, 1 rape, 1 robbery, and 1 aggravated assault. There were 541 property crimes, including 1 arson, 39 burglaries, 488 larcenies, and 13 motor vehicle thefts.
6
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the Village of River Forest Illinois Library?
The River Forest Public Library in Cook County, Illinois provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Illinois government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs access to government documents in Illinois. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the River Forest Illinois Archives and Genealogy at https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/home.html. Contact the River Forest Public Library reference desk at (708) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
7
What publicly accessible records can be obtained from the River Forest, Cook County, Illinois Library?
The River Forest Public Library in Cook County, Illinois provides residents with access to public records and government document resources. Library cardholders can access online databases including genealogy services, historical newspapers, and Illinois government records. The reference staff can assist with locating court records, property records, and vital records through the library's online catalog and interlibrary loan network. The library maintains materials on how to submit public records requests under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs access to government documents in Illinois. The library also offers access to genealogy resources including the River Forest Illinois Archives and Genealogy at https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/home.html. Contact the River Forest Public Library reference desk at (708) for assistance or to confirm hours and services.
8
Where is the Village of River Forest, Illinois Public Library located?
The River Forest Public Library is located at 735 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305.
9
Where is the River Forest, Cook County, Illinois Public Library located?
The River Forest Public Library is located at 735 Lathrop Ave, River Forest, IL 60305.
10
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in Village of River Forest, Illinois?
Fingerprinting services in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois are available through the River Forest Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Services are provided for employment background checks, licensing applications, immigration purposes, and personal record requests. You will typically need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where applicable, a completed fingerprint card from the requesting agency. Appointments can often be scheduled by calling (708) or by visiting the department's website. Fingerprints are submitted to the Illinois State Police and the FBI for identity verification and criminal history review. Statewide criminal history checks can also be requested through the Illinois State Police.
11
Where is the nearest fingerprinting office located in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois?
Fingerprinting services for River Forest, Illinois residents are provided at the River Forest Police Department, which serves Cook County. Fingerprinting is required for a variety of purposes, including pre-employment background checks, professional licensing (nursing, teaching, law, real estate), volunteer work with children or the elderly, immigration and naturalization applications, firearm purchases, and FBI Identity History Summary requests. To schedule fingerprinting, call the River Forest Police Department at (708) or visit in person. Bring a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) and any required agency forms. Fingerprint cards are typically forwarded to the Illinois State Police for processing. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, visit the Illinois State Police at https://www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/chri.cfm.
12
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from Village of River Forest, Illinois, and what information is provided in the records?
The Village of River Forest, Illinois does not issue vital records. To obtain vital records for River Forest, Illinois, you must contact the Cook County Clerk's Office. The Cook County Clerk's Office issues birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for the entire county, including River Forest.

To obtain a vital record from the Cook County Clerk's Office, you must submit a completed application form, a valid photo ID, and the applicable fee. The application form can be found on the Cook County Clerk's website.
13
What are the requirements for obtaining vital records from River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, and what information is provided in the records?
To obtain vital records for River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, you must contact the Cook County Clerk's Office. You can do this by visiting their website or by calling their office.

The vital records available from the Cook County Clerk's Office include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. To obtain any of these records, you will need to provide the full name of the person listed on the record, the date of the event, and the address of the event (if applicable). You will also need to provide a valid form of identification and payment for the record.
14
About Police Reports
Police reports from River Forest, Illinois can be obtained from the River Forest Police Department, located in Cook County. To request a police report, visit the Records Division in person or submit a written request by mail. You will typically need the report number, date of incident, and your valid photo ID. A fee may be charged per page for copies. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), most police reports are public records in Illinois, though portions related to active investigations, juvenile records, or sensitive personal information may be redacted. Contact the River Forest Police Department Records Division at (708) for information on fees, hours, and online request options. For statewide criminal records, visit https://www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/chri.cfm.
15
About background check
A background check in River Forest, Cook County, Illinois typically includes a review of criminal history, driving records, credit history, employment verification, education verification, and sex offender registry status. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards commonly request background checks in Illinois. Criminal background checks are processed through the Illinois State Police, which maintains arrest records, convictions, and disposition data for Illinois residents. The Illinois State Police provides official criminal history checks at https://www.isp.state.il.us/crimhistory/chri.cfm. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), individuals have the right to request their own records. Federal background checks are available through the FBI's Identity History Summary program. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how background check information may be used by employers and landlords.