Logan County Criminal Court Records

Logan County criminal court records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk in Lincoln and cover all criminal cases heard in the 11th Judicial Circuit. This page explains how to search, request, and access criminal court records in Logan County, Illinois, whether you need them for a background check, legal matter, or general research into cases filed at the Logan County Courthouse.

Logan County Circuit Court Clerk

Kelly Elias is the Logan County Circuit Court Clerk. The mailing address is P.O. Box 158, Lincoln, IL 62656. You can call the office at 217/735-2376 or send a fax to 217/732-1231. The clerk's official website is at logancountyil.gov/circuit-clerk.

The Logan County Circuit Court Clerk is the official keeper of all criminal court records filed in the county. The office handles criminal complaints, indictments, charging informations, motion filings, docket records, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Staff can search the case index by defendant name or case number. Certified copies are available for fees established by 705 ILCS 105, which sets copy and filing fees for circuit court clerks throughout Illinois.

Walk-in visits during regular business hours are the most direct way to get documents. If you are not local, a written mail request is accepted. Send the defendant's full name, approximate case year, and case number if available, along with a check or money order for the copy fee. The clerk will search and mail back the results.

The screenshot below shows the Logan County Circuit Clerk's office page, which is the official source for criminal court records in the county.

Logan County Circuit Clerk official page

This is the starting point for any request involving Logan County criminal court records. The clerk's office in Lincoln can confirm what exists and how to get it.

Searching Logan County Cases Online

Logan County participates in Judici.com, the third-party case search platform used by 82 of Illinois's 102 counties. Judici lets you search Logan County criminal cases by name or case number at no charge. Results typically show charges, court dates, and dispositions. The platform draws data directly from the circuit court system, making it a reliable starting point.

For broader searching, re:SearchIL is a free statewide portal that has been open to the public since May 1, 2025. It covers both criminal and civil cases, including those from Logan County. No account is needed. Search at researchil.tylerhost.net.

Below is a screenshot of the re:SearchIL portal, which covers Logan County cases along with courts across Illinois.

Search Logan County records on re:SearchIL

Both Judici and re:SearchIL help you find a case quickly. Neither produces certified copies. For certified documents, contact Kelly Elias's office at 217/735-2376.

What Records Are Open in Logan County

Most adult criminal court records in Logan County are public. Criminal complaints, indictments, motion filings, dockets, plea agreements, and sentencing orders can be accessed by anyone. No reason is required to view public case files at the Lincoln courthouse.

Not everything is open. Juvenile records are confidential under Illinois law. Records that have been sealed or expunged are no longer accessible to the public. Personal information like Social Security numbers is redacted from public copies. Cases involving adoptions are closed. If a Logan County case has been sealed, the clerk can confirm it exists but will not show the file without a court order.

It's also worth knowing that Illinois courts are exempt from the state Freedom of Information Act under 5 ILCS 140. A FOIA request sent to the Logan County Circuit Court Clerk will not be processed. Court record access is governed by judicial statutes and rules, not FOIA.

Criminal History Checks Through ISP

The Logan County clerk's records cover only cases filed in Logan County. For a full Illinois criminal history, the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification handles statewide records. Contact the BOI at 815/740-5160 or go to isp.illinois.gov/BureauOfIdentification.

The ISP BOI provides fingerprint-based background checks for employers and licensing agencies. Processing times and fees vary by check type. Individuals who want to review their own criminal history can use CHIRP, the Criminal History Information Request Portal at chirp.isp.illinois.gov. Reviewing your own record is free under the Access and Review process.

E-Filing and the Illinois Court System

Attorneys handling criminal matters in Logan County use eFileIL for electronic filing at efile.illinoiscourts.gov. If you're representing yourself, call the clerk's office at 217/735-2376 to find out whether e-filing is available for your case type. Some criminal filings still require in-person submission at the Lincoln courthouse.

The Illinois Courts website covers the state judiciary at large, including the full directory of circuit court clerks at illinoiscourts.gov. Logan County is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which covers several central Illinois counties.

Legal Aid in Logan County

Free resources exist for anyone who needs help navigating Logan County criminal court records. Illinois Legal Aid Online at illinoislegalaid.org covers expungements, criminal court procedures, and how to read case documents. Illinois Court Help at ilcourthelp.gov explains how to handle common court tasks without an attorney.

These resources are informational only. For legal advice about a Logan County criminal case, consult a licensed attorney. The clerk's office can answer questions about procedures but cannot give legal guidance.

Nearby Counties

Counties near Logan each have their own circuit court clerks handling criminal court records separately.