Kankakee County Court Records
What Is Kankakee County Court Records
Court records in Kankakee County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records serve as the comprehensive documentation of judicial activities and are maintained pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rules. According to 705 ILCS 105/16, court records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records.
Court records are distinct from other public records maintained by Kankakee County, such as:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Tax records
- Voter registration information
The following courts maintain records in Kankakee County:
- Circuit Court (including specialized divisions)
- Family Court
- Probate Court
- Small Claims Court
These records document proceedings across various case types including civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, probate proceedings, and traffic violations. The Kankakee County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of these records, responsible for their maintenance, preservation, and accessibility in accordance with state law.
Are Court Records Public In Kankakee County
Court records in Kankakee County are generally accessible to the public under Illinois law. The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/1) establishes the presumption that government records, including court records, should be available for public inspection. Additionally, the Illinois Courts Records Act (705 ILCS 105/16) specifically addresses court record accessibility.
The following court records are typically available for public access:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
However, certain records may be restricted or sealed by court order or statute, including:
- Juvenile records (pursuant to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act)
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health proceedings
- Cases involving minors as victims
- Records sealed by judicial order
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois are governed by federal access rules rather than state regulations. The Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy further regulates how court records may be accessed electronically throughout the state, including Kankakee County.
How To Find Court Records in Kankakee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Kankakee County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining court records:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours.
- Complete a record request form, providing case number, party names, and filing date if known.
- Present valid photo identification.
- Pay applicable copy fees ($0.50 per page for standard copies).
- Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records.
By Mail:
- Download and complete the Court Records Request Form from the county website.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees.
- Mail the request to:
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk
450 E. Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5700
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk
Online Access:
- Visit the Kankakee County Court Records Portal.
- Create a user account if required.
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date.
- Pay any applicable online access fees.
- Download available documents.
For certified copies of court records, requestors must specifically indicate this requirement on their request form and pay the additional certification fee of $5.00 per document as established by 705 ILCS 105/27.1b.
How To Look Up Court Records in Kankakee County Online?
Kankakee County provides several digital platforms for accessing court records electronically. These online resources allow members of the public to search for and retrieve court information without visiting the courthouse in person.
The primary online portals include:
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk E-Access:
- Available at the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk website
- Contains civil, criminal, traffic, and family court cases
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date
- Provides case summaries, docket entries, and some document images
- Registration required for full access
- Standard search is free; document downloads may incur fees
Illinois Unified Court System Records Search:
- Accessible through the Illinois Courts website
- Includes appellate and circuit court cases
- Allows searching across multiple counties
- Provides case status, upcoming court dates, and judgment information
- Free basic search; premium features require subscription
Re:SearchIL Platform:
- State judiciary's comprehensive case management system
- Contains cases from participating counties including Kankakee
- Requires attorney registration or public subscriber account
- Offers advanced search capabilities and document access
- Subscription fees apply for extended access
To conduct an online search:
- Select the appropriate portal based on the type of case
- Create an account if required
- Enter known information (case number is most efficient)
- Use party names with exact spelling when possible
- Narrow results by date range or case type
- Review search results and select relevant cases
- Pay any applicable fees for document downloads
Users should note that certain documents may not be available online due to privacy restrictions or technical limitations, even when the case itself is publicly accessible.
How To Search Kankakee County Court Records for Free?
Illinois law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in 705 ILCS 105/16(6), which states that "all records shall be open to the inspection of any person without charge." While fees may apply for copies or certified documents, several no-cost options exist for accessing Kankakee County court records.
Free In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Request to view specific case files using public access terminals
- No fee for viewing records on-site
- Staff assistance available for locating records
Free Online Resources:
- Kankakee County Circuit Clerk Case Lookup - Basic case information and status
- Illinois Courts Case Information - Hearing schedules and case status
- Kankakee County Court Calendar - Daily court schedules
Public Library Access:
- The Kankakee Public Library offers free computer access
- Library staff can assist with navigating court websites
- Some legal research databases available at no cost
Law Library Resources:
- The Kankakee County Law Library located in the courthouse
- Open to the public during regular business hours
- Contains legal research materials and public access computers
- Staff available to assist with basic navigation of resources
While basic searches are free, users should be aware that obtaining copies, certified documents, or accessing certain enhanced features may incur fees as established by the Illinois Clerk of Courts Act.
What's Included in a Kankakee County Court Record?
Kankakee County court records typically contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include the following components:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses or warrants
- Service of process documentation
- Initial appearances or arraignments
- Filing fee receipts
Pleadings and Motions:
- Answers and responses
- Counterclaims and cross-claims
- Pre-trial motions and supporting memoranda
- Discovery requests and responses
- Affidavits and declarations
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary and preliminary orders
- Summary judgment decisions
- Final judgments and decrees
- Post-judgment orders
- Enforcement documents
Hearing and Trial Records:
- Court calendars and scheduling notices
- Minute entries
- Exhibit lists and admitted evidence
- Transcripts (when prepared)
- Jury instructions and verdicts
Financial Information:
- Fee assessments
- Payment records
- Restitution orders
- Child support calculations
- Fine and penalty assessments
Case-Specific Documents:
- Criminal cases: charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders
- Civil cases: settlement agreements, damage calculations
- Family cases: parenting plans, financial affidavits, support worksheets
- Probate cases: wills, inventories, accountings, distribution orders
The Illinois Supreme Court Electronic Filing Standards govern the format and content requirements for documents filed with Kankakee County courts. Additionally, certain sensitive information may be redacted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138 regarding personal identity information.
How Long Does Kankakee County Keep Court Records?
Kankakee County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Illinois Supreme Court Records Management Division and the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/). These schedules vary by case type and document classification.
Felony Criminal Cases:
- Case files: Permanent retention
- Evidence: Until all appeals exhausted plus additional holding period
- Recordings/transcripts: Minimum of 20 years after case closure
Misdemeanor Criminal Cases:
- Case files: 10 years after case disposition
- Traffic violations: 5-7 years depending on violation type
- DUI cases: 25 years after disposition
Civil Litigation:
- Major civil cases: 20 years after final disposition
- Small claims: 10 years after judgment
- Evictions: 7 years after case closure
Family Law Matters:
- Divorce/dissolution: Permanent retention
- Child support: Until youngest child reaches 23 years of age
- Orders of protection: 7 years after expiration
Probate Proceedings:
- Wills and estate administration: Permanent retention
- Guardianships: 10 years after termination of guardianship
- Conservatorships: 7 years after final accounting
Court Administrative Records:
- Docket books: Permanent retention
- Indexes: Permanent retention
- Financial records: 7 years after audit
The Illinois Supreme Court Records Retention Schedule mandates minimum retention periods, but Kankakee County may maintain records longer than required, particularly for cases of historical or precedential significance. After the retention period expires, records may be transferred to microfilm or digital format before the physical documents are destroyed.
Types of Courts In Kankakee County
Kankakee County's judicial system consists of several courts operating within the Illinois state court hierarchy. Each court has specific jurisdiction and handles designated case types.
Kankakee County Circuit Court (21st Judicial Circuit)
450 E. Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5700
Kankakee County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Circuit Court is divided into specialized divisions:
Criminal Division
450 E. Court Street, 3rd Floor
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5815
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Civil Division
450 E. Court Street, 2nd Floor
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Family Division
450 E. Court Street, 1st Floor
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5773
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Traffic Division
450 E. Court Street, 1st Floor
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5785
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Probate Division
450 E. Court Street, 2nd Floor
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 936-5760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The court hierarchy in Illinois proceeds from Circuit Courts (trial courts) to the Appellate Court (3rd District for Kankakee County) and ultimately to the Illinois Supreme Court. Federal cases from Kankakee County are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, with appeals going to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
What Types of Cases Do Kankakee County Courts Hear?
Kankakee County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their jurisdictional authority. The following case types are processed through the county's court system:
Criminal Division:
- Felonies (murder, robbery, drug trafficking, etc.)
- Misdemeanors (simple assault, petty theft, disorderly conduct)
- Preliminary hearings and arraignments
- Bond hearings
- Probation violations
- Post-conviction proceedings
Civil Division:
- General civil litigation (damages exceeding $50,000)
- Contract disputes
- Personal injury claims
- Property damage cases
- Medical malpractice
- Product liability
- Administrative reviews
- Small claims (damages up to $10,000)
- Evictions and landlord-tenant disputes
- Consumer claims
Family Division:
- Divorce and dissolution of marriage
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Paternity determinations
- Orders of protection
- Adoption proceedings
- Juvenile delinquency
- Abuse and neglect cases
- Guardianships of minors
Traffic Division:
- Moving violations
- DUI/DWI offenses
- License suspensions and revocations
- Vehicle registration violations
- Commercial driver violations
- Parking citations (contested)
Probate Division:
- Wills and estate administration
- Intestate succession
- Guardianships of disabled adults
- Conservatorships
- Trust administration
- Elder law matters
- Mental health commitments
Case assignment within the Kankakee County court system follows the Illinois Supreme Court's General Administrative Order on case management. Complex cases may be assigned to specialized judges with expertise in particular legal areas.
How To Find a Court Docket In Kankakee County
Court dockets in Kankakee County provide essential information about scheduled hearings, case status, and proceedings. Members of the public can access docket information through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk website
- Select "Case Information" or "Court Calendar"
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or date range)
- Review results showing hearing dates, times, courtrooms, and presiding judges
- Note that some case types may have restricted online access
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the Kankakee County Circuit Clerk's Office during business hours
- Request access to public terminals for docket searches
- Provide case information to clerk staff if assistance is needed
- Review daily court call sheets posted outside courtrooms
- Consult the master calendar in the clerk's office
Telephone Information:
- Call the Circuit Clerk's Office at (815) 936-5700
- Provide case number or party names
- Request current docket information and next court date
- Note that detailed information may require in-person or online access
Court Call Subscription Services:
- Legal professionals can subscribe to Court Call
- Receive automated notifications of hearing dates
- Access specialized docket reports
- Obtain calendar integration with office systems
The Illinois Supreme Court Electronic Access Policy governs the availability of docket information. While basic docket information is publicly accessible, certain case types (juvenile, adoption, some domestic violence matters) may have restricted access pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/16.
Which Courts in Kankakee County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Illinois, the distinction between "courts of record" and "courts not of record" was largely eliminated through the Illinois Constitution of 1970, Article VI, which established a unified court system. Prior to this constitutional revision, justice of the peace courts and police magistrate courts operated as courts not of record in many Illinois counties, including Kankakee.
Currently, all judicial proceedings in Kankakee County take place within the Circuit Court system, which is a court of record as defined by 705 ILCS 35/0.01. This means that all proceedings are documented through official transcripts or digital recordings, and these records have legal standing for purposes of appeal and precedent.
While no true "courts not of record" exist in Kankakee County's judicial system, certain administrative hearings maintain characteristics similar to non-record proceedings:
- Administrative adjudication hearings for municipal code violations
- Local ordinance enforcement proceedings
- Certain preliminary or informal dispute resolution processes
- Traffic safety programs for minor violations
- Peer or youth courts (diversionary programs)
These administrative proceedings typically:
- Do not require verbatim transcripts
- May have simplified rules of evidence and procedure
- Often lack formal appellate processes
- May be presided over by hearing officers rather than judges
Parties seeking to challenge decisions from these administrative proceedings must typically file a new case in the Circuit Court rather than pursuing a traditional appeal, as would be the case with courts of record.
Lookup Court Records in Kankakee County
Kankakee County Circuit Clerk Records
Illinois Courts Case Information
Kankakee County Court Information