Illinois Court Records Search
Illinois court records that took place before 1964 have their court records stored with the circuit Illinois courts in the county where the cases took place. You can even request copies from the Family History Library which offers microfilms on order, but they can only be accessed at the Center of Family History.
Criminal records of Illinois hold information about a person’s involvement in confrontations, destruction of property, and thefts. These records also may describe family relationships, occupation, residence, and age of the person. There is information about depositions given as witnesses in there too.
The first step of finding case records in Illinois is to know which court is responsible for what type of case in Illinois. The trial court system of this particular state us made up of Court of Claims, Municipal Courts, and Circuit Courts. The state has successfully unified the court system by giving general jurisdiction to the Circuit Courts. There are some cases that are heard by the Court of Claims. Also some cities still have municipal courts which hear cases regarding ordinance violation.
Illinois Circuit Court Records
The Illinois circuit courts came into being in 1819. They went on to become major trial courts in the year 1964, the same time when other trial courts were abolished. These courts have heard probate, criminal and civil cases. Right now there are 21 judicial circuits in Illinois. Many of the judicial circuits cater to more than one county, but the court sessions are held in the county where the case is taking place.
This court hears almost all of the civil cases including the unlimited general civil, the limited general civil, ordinance violations, landlord and tenant, real estate ownership, foreclosures, complex commercials, civil equity, small claims, appeals for administrative agency, and Restraining orders.
The circuit courts also hear criminal cases regarding infractions and traffic, Juvenile, ordinance violations, misdemeanors, felony, and preliminary felony hearings. Juvenile Illinois court records are typically sealed until the person in question is an adult.
Domestic cases heard here are regarding domestic violence, paternity, child support, visitation and child custody, and divorce.
Juvenile cases are also taken care of by the Circuit Courts including parental rights termination, child abuse, juvenile delinquency, adoptions, and children in need of supervision.
Other cases regarding probate and Mental Health include involuntary commitments, Conservatorships and Guardianships, trusts, name changes, estates, and wills.
Illinois Municipal Court Records
The Illinois Municipal Courts hear some cases regarding ordinance violations in both criminal and civil case types.
Before, it was the Court of County Commissioners that held jurisdiction over licenses, taxes, canals, turnpikes, and public roads.
Illinois There may be other Illinois court records, created by the police courts, Supreme Court, the intermediate appellate.
