Illinois Criminal Records

Start with the Illinois State Police if you are Conducting a Criminal Records Search
To obtain criminal histories in Illinois, you have to go through the Illinois State Police, which maintains the database for the records through the state's Bureau of Identification. By way of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, the BCI provides access to over five million fingerprints on file.

Criminal History Information can be Obtained in One of Two Ways
Criminal histories can be obtained by either submitting a request for a non-fingerprint (name-based) search or submitting a fingerprint request. While the name-based searches are less expensive ($16.00), the fingerprint search, for just a few dollars more ($20.00), invariably reap more accurate results.

Complete a Conviction Information Request Form
To start the process, you'll need to fill out a Conviction Information Request form, which is made available through the Bureau of Identification. As each of the forms contain a separate control number for processing the request, copies cannot be made of the documents.

Necessary Information
Non-fingerprint or name-based searches require that you provide the name of the subject plus other personal details, such as the gender, race, and birthdate. In certain cases, where the offender used an alias or false information, the results can be skewed or misrepresented. However, fingerprint-based searches can confirm the positive identification of the subject. So, again, they are more reliable.

Requests for Name-based and Fingerprint Request Forms can be Made Online
Individuals can place a request for fingerprint or name-based forms on the Internet. The documents can be obtained by filling out a request online at the Illinois State Police website. After the online request is made, the forms will be mailed to the requester by way of snail mail.

Records Containing Conviction Information are Considered Viewable by the Public
In Illinois, any records that contain arrest information that resulted in a conviction are considered viewable by the public. All other histories can only be requested by criminal justice agencies, authorized employers, and individuals inquiring about their own records.

Inmate Records Fall Under the Jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Corrections
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) was formed in 1970. At that time, it was given the responsibility of managing correctional facilities and probation and parole offices for the state.

Because the management of juvenile offenders was reassigned to the Department of Juvenile Justice in 2006, the IDOC now only assumes responsibility for the administration of the adult population of offenders. Since the creation of the IDOC, facilities in the state have increased by 20 from the seven that were initially managed by the agency.

How to obtain Inmate Information
To obtain information on an inmate in Illinois, you can do so by either phoning the IDOC or by going online and accessing the information at the IDOC website. You can also find sex offender information at this site as well as fugitive data. In order to retrieve inmate information, enter the IDOC ID number for the inmate or search by his or her name or date of birth. Photos of offenders are included in any record retrieval.

What Inmate Records Contain
Inmate records contain the name of the subject, physical description (including tattoos), location of the facility where he is housed, tentative release date, conviction details, and the date when the prisoner is eligible for parole.