Search Des Plaines Criminal Court Records

Des Plaines criminal court records are held by the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk and can only be accessed in person at the courthouse where the case was filed. Cook County does not provide online lookup for criminal cases. Whether you need records from a misdemeanor, felony, or ordinance violation, you must visit a Cook County courthouse. This page explains which courthouse to go to, how to use the public terminals, and how to get a full statewide criminal history from the Illinois State Police.

How Criminal Cases Work in Des Plaines

Des Plaines is in Cook County. All criminal cases for the city go through the Cook County Circuit Court. The Circuit Court handles felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and local ordinance violations. Cook County uses a district courthouse system for suburban cities.

Des Plaines cases typically route through the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, which covers the northwest suburban district of Cook County. That courthouse is at 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008. Some cases may go through the main courthouse at 50 W. Washington St. in Chicago, depending on the type of charge and where it was filed. If you are not sure which location holds the record you need, call the clerk at 312/603-5030 before you go.

Cook County does not use re:SearchIL or Judici for criminal records. Those statewide systems cover other Illinois counties but not Cook. To search a Des Plaines criminal case, in-person access is the only option through the Circuit Court Clerk.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Contact

The Circuit Court Clerk for Cook County is Mariyana T. Spyropoulos. Her office oversees all court filings and record requests across the county's many courthouses.

• Main Office: 50 W. Washington St., Suite 1001, Chicago, IL 60602
• Phone: 312/603-5030
• Website: cookcountyclerkofcourt.org
• Rolling Meadows Courthouse: 2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

The clerk's office is open on weekdays. Typical hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Verify current hours before going, as they can change. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. If you have the case number, bring it. Staff can also search by name if you do not have a case number, though name searches may produce multiple results that you will need to sort through at the counter.

Using Public Access Terminals

Each Cook County courthouse has public access terminals available to anyone who comes in. These are free to use and do not require an appointment. The terminals give you access to the case index and docket information.

On the terminal, you can search by name or case number. The system shows you charge types, court dates, and case status. You can see the list of docket entries, which tells you when filings were made and what they were. You can also see the disposition, meaning whether the case ended in a conviction, dismissal, or other outcome.

The terminals do not always show full document images. For copies of actual filings, you will need to request them from the clerk's staff. Standard copies cost a set fee per page. Certified copies cost more and are used for legal or official purposes. Ask the clerk about current rates when you visit.

If you need a lot of records or complex research, consider arriving early in the day. The clerk's offices can get busy, and terminals may have a wait during peak hours. Having the defendant's full legal name and approximate date of filing can speed up the search.

What the Records Include

Criminal court files in Des Plaines cases typically include the charging document, arrest information, motions, orders, and the final disposition. The file is specific to a single case. It is not the same as a full criminal history.

Charging documents show what the person was accused of doing, which statutes were cited, and when the case was filed. Orders and motions show how the case progressed through the court. The disposition record shows the outcome. If the person pled guilty, the plea agreement and sentencing order will be in the file. If the case went to trial, the verdict and any post-trial motions will be there too.

Not all records are public. Juvenile cases are sealed and not available to the general public. Records that have been expunged or sealed by court order are also closed. Cases involving certain charges or sensitive circumstances may also have restricted access. If you are told a record is not available, ask what statute applies so you understand why.

The Circuit Court Clerk's duties are set out under 705 ILCS 105, the Circuit Court Clerk Act. This statute defines the clerk's responsibilities around record keeping and public access.

Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification

A single Cook County criminal court file only covers one case. If you want a full picture of someone's criminal history across Illinois, you need to contact the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification.

The ISP BOI is located at 260 N. Chicago St., Joliet, IL 60432. The phone number is 815/740-5160. You can request a Criminal History Report by mail or through the ISP's online portal. Fees apply and vary depending on the type of request and the search method used.

Individuals can request their own criminal history to review what is on file. Authorized entities such as employers or agencies can also run checks through the state's approved process. The report covers all arrests and dispositions reported to the state from all Illinois counties, not just Cook. It is the most complete statewide source for criminal history information.

The Criminal Identification Act at 20 ILCS 2635 governs how the ISP collects and maintains criminal history records. It also sets out the rules for expungement and record sealing in Illinois.

Statewide Court Databases

While Cook County criminal records are not online, the re:SearchIL portal is useful for other Illinois counties. The portal has been free since May 1, 2025, and covers many counties outside Cook.

The screenshot below shows the re:SearchIL portal, which allows case searches across dozens of participating Illinois courts.

If you need to check records from a neighboring county such as Lake or DuPage, re:SearchIL is a good starting point. Search by name, case number, or date range. Results include charge type, filing date, and case status for participating courts.

Legal Help in Des Plaines

Several organizations provide legal help for Des Plaines residents dealing with criminal court matters.

• Illinois Legal Aid Online: illinoislegalaid.org - Free legal guides and referrals for Cook County residents
• Cook County Public Defender: Provides free legal defense for those who cannot afford an attorney
• Cabrini Green Legal Aid: Assists with expungement and record sealing in Cook County
• Northwest Suburban Legal Aid: Serves the northwest Cook County area with civil legal help

If you are trying to get records sealed or expunged, start with Illinois Legal Aid Online. They have plain-language guides that walk through the process step by step. Clinics are also offered periodically across Cook County where attorneys help people at no cost.

Nearby Illinois Cities

These nearby cities also have criminal case records filed at the county level.