Illinois Court Case Search by Name

Are you looking for someone in the Illinois court system?

Illinois Court Case Search is an online service that helps you find information about court cases in Illinois. You can search for cases by name, number, or other details. This tool gives you access to records from various courts across the state.

The Office of the Illinois Courts provides information about the court system, including Circuit Courts, Appellate Courts, and the Supreme Court. These courts all keep records that you can search.

Several counties have search systems. For example, Cook County offers an online case information service that shows the status of historical and active court cases.

Important Note: It is better to search for case details using county records. All Illinois counties maintain court records on their websites.

Another useful tool is Judici, which lets attorneys and judges search multiple counties. Through personalized case lists, they can also access case documents and judge notes.

Why do people use court case searches?

Check the status of their own cases
Look up information about other people’s cases
Research court decisions
Find historical court records

You don’t need special training to use most court case search systems. Many are designed to be easy for the public to use. Some basic information is often free, while more detailed documents might cost money.

Madison County and other counties have search websites. If you have problems using these sites, most provide phone support.

Table of Contents

Steps to Do an Illinois Court Case Search by Name

Finding Illinois court case information takes just a few steps.

Before you begin, you need to know which websites to use and what details to have ready.

Available Online Databases

Several online databases let you search for Illinois court cases by name. The Circuit Court of Cook County Clerk offers an online service to check historical and active court cases. This is helpful if your case is in Cook County.

For statewide searches, re provides access to electronic court records across different jurisdictions in Illinois. This site lets you find documents from various counties in one place.

The Illinois Courts website offers information about the entire court system, including links to Circuit Courts, Appellate Courts, and the Supreme Court.

Required Information for a Search

To search effectively, you need to gather some basic information first:

For name searches:

Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
Possible name variations or aliases
County where the case was filed (if known)

For case number searches:

Complete case number
Year the case was filed
Case type (criminal, civil, family, etc.)

Most systems ask for at least one piece of identifying information. The more details you provide, the more accurate your search results will be.

Having the person’s date of birth can help narrow results, especially for common names like Smith or Johnson.

Public Access vs. Restricted Information

Not all court information is available to the public. Some details are restricted for privacy and legal reasons.

Typically, public information includes:

Party names
Case numbers
Filing dates
General case types
Hearing dates
Basic case status

Usually restricted information:

Social Security numbers
Financial account details
Juvenile records
Sealed or expunged cases
Some domestic violence cases

Court websites often require you to agree to the terms of use before searching. This confirms you understand the limits on how you can use the information.

Some detailed documents require registration for an account or payment of a fee to access.

Each county may have different rules about what information it makes public online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a court case by someone’s name in Illinois?

You can use several online tools to find a court case by someone’s name in Illinois. The re platform is a statewide system that lets you search for court records across multiple counties.

Where can I check the status of a criminal case in Illinois?

You can check the status of a criminal case through the Illinois Courts website. This official site provides information about cases in Circuit Courts, Appellate Courts, and the Supreme Court. You’ll need to use specific counties’ dedicated court record systems. Each county maintains its database of case information.

Is there a way to view court dates for a specific case in Illinois?

You can view court dates by accessing the online case management system for the county where the case is filed. Look for the “docket” or “court events” section. This typically shows upcoming court appearances and hearings.

Can I access Cook County court cases online?

Yes, Cook County offers online access to court records through the Clerk of the Circuit Court website. Cook County also maintains court records and archives for older cases.

Assistance and Resources

Several support options and tools can make the process easier when you need help with Illinois court case searches.

Illinois courthouses have help desks where staff can guide you through case searches. The Office of the Illinois Courts offers phone support for people who struggle with online searches.

Court clerks can explain how to use public terminals in courthouses. These terminals let you search cases even if you don’t have internet access. Some counties have special self-help centers where volunteers help with basic legal research.

Other Research Tools

Beyond the basic court websites, several tools can help with your case research:

Law libraries: Public law libraries offer free access to legal databases and research materials
Judici: The Judici platform lets attorneys and judges search across multiple counties at once
Court archives: For older cases, the Cook County Archives store historical court records

Some counties offer free workshops on using their court case systems. These sessions teach search techniques and explain what information is available to the public.

Public libraries often provide access to premium legal research tools for free. Ask your local librarian about legal databases they subscribe to that might help with your court case research.

That is all for today folks.