Will County Court Records
What Is Will County Court Records
Will County court records encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/), court records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. These documents differ from other public records such as property deeds, vital statistics, or tax assessments, which are maintained by separate county departments.
The Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court maintains the majority of Will County's court records. These records are categorized by the court that generated them:
- Circuit Court records (felony criminal, major civil litigation)
- Family Court records (divorce, custody, support)
- Probate Court records (wills, estates, guardianships)
- Small Claims Court records (minor civil disputes)
- Traffic Court records (moving violations, DUIs)
According to § 16 of the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/16), the Circuit Court Clerk serves as the official custodian of all court records within Will County. This statute mandates that the clerk "shall file and keep all papers properly docketed in each case and shall keep proper indexes of cases."
Are Court Records Public In Will County
Court records in Will County are presumptively open to public inspection under Illinois law. The Illinois Constitution establishes that "All courts shall be open" (Article I, § 12), creating a fundamental right of access to court proceedings and their associated records. Additionally, the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Access to Electronic Court Records policy further codify this right.
Records generally available to the public include:
- Civil case files (complaints, answers, motions, orders)
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Court calendars
However, certain records may be restricted or sealed pursuant to § 7 of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, including:
- Juvenile court records (705 ILCS 405/1-8)
- Adoption proceedings (750 ILCS 50/18)
- Mental health proceedings (740 ILCS 110/3)
- Cases involving minors as victims of sex crimes
- Records sealed by judicial order
The Illinois Supreme Court has established comprehensive rules governing public access to court records through its Electronic Access Policy, which balances transparency with privacy concerns. Will County courts adhere to these statewide standards while maintaining local administrative procedures.
How To Find Court Records in Will County in 2026
Members of the public seeking Will County court records may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Will County Circuit Clerk serves as the official custodian of all court records and provides multiple access points:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Records Division at the Will County Circuit Clerk's Office
- Complete a records request form specifying case number or party names
- Present valid photo identification
- Pay applicable copy fees ($2.00 first page, $0.50 each additional page)
Will County Circuit Clerk's Office
100 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Will County Circuit Clerk
Mail Requests:
- Submit a written request including case information and contact details
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose payment for estimated copy fees (checks payable to "Will County Circuit Clerk")
Online Access:
- Visit the Will County Circuit Clerk's website
- Navigate to "Court Records Search"
- Register for an account if accessing non-public records
- Search by case number, party name, or filing date
- Pay applicable online access fees
For certified copies of court documents, requestors must specifically indicate this requirement. Certification adds $6.00 per document pursuant to 705 ILCS 105/27.2a. Records requests are typically processed within 3-5 business days, though complex or extensive requests may require additional time.
How To Look Up Court Records in Will County Online?
Will County provides comprehensive online access to court records through several digital platforms. The primary portal for electronic court record access is the Will County Circuit Clerk's Case Lookup System. This system allows users to search for cases using the following methods:
-
Case Number Search:
- Enter the complete case number (format: YYYY-L-XXXXXX)
- Case types are designated by letter codes (L=Law, D=Divorce, CF=Criminal Felony)
- Results display case status, parties, and document index
-
Party Name Search:
- Enter last name, first name (minimum 3 characters each)
- Narrow results by case type or filing date range
- System returns all cases matching search criteria
-
Attorney Search:
- Enter attorney name or ARDC number
- View all cases where attorney appears as counsel of record
Additionally, Will County participates in the Illinois Statewide eFiling System, which provides:
- Access to electronically filed documents
- Case status updates
- Hearing schedules and judge assignments
For criminal records specifically, the Will County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup provides information on current detainees and case status. Traffic citations may be accessed through the Illinois Statewide Traffic Citation System.
Users should note that while basic case information is freely available, accessing complete case documents may require payment of statutory fees. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Order M.R. 18368, certain sensitive information is redacted from online records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and names of minor children.
How To Search Will County Court Records for Free?
Illinois law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge. According to § 6(a) of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, "Each public body shall make available to any person for inspection or copying all public records." While copying fees may apply, examination of records is free of charge.
Will County offers several no-cost options for accessing court records:
In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Will County Circuit Clerk's Office during regular business hours
- Public access terminals are available for searching case information
- Basic case information can be viewed without fees
- Staff assistance is available for locating physical case files
Will County Law Library
100 W. Jefferson Street, 3rd Floor
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8585
Will County Law Library
Free Online Resources:
- Will County Circuit Clerk Case Information - Provides basic case information including parties, case type, filing date, and scheduled hearings
- Illinois Courts Case Information - Offers statewide court calendar and case status information
- Will County Court Call - Daily court schedules searchable by judge or courtroom
While these free resources provide essential case information, obtaining complete case documents may require payment of statutory copying fees. Additionally, pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138, certain personal identifying information is restricted from public access regardless of the search method used.
What's Included in a Will County Court Record?
Will County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints/Petitions (civil cases)
- Indictments/Information (criminal cases)
- Summonses and service of process records
- Initial appearance documentation
Procedural Documents:
- Motions and responses
- Court orders and rulings
- Scheduling notices
- Certificates of service
- Appearance forms
- Attorney representation documents
Evidentiary Materials:
- Affidavits and sworn statements
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Deposition transcripts
- Expert witness reports
- Financial disclosures (in applicable cases)
Disposition Documents:
- Judgments and decrees
- Settlement agreements (when filed with court)
- Jury verdicts
- Sentencing orders (criminal cases)
- Dismissal orders
Post-Judgment Materials:
- Appeals documentation
- Satisfaction of judgment notices
- Probation/supervision reports
- Modification petitions
- Enforcement proceedings
According to § 16(6) of the Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/16), the clerk must maintain a "complete record of all proceedings" in each case. This includes maintaining the court's docket, which serves as a chronological index of all filings and actions taken in a case.
For criminal proceedings, additional materials such as pre-sentence investigation reports, victim impact statements, and criminal history information may be included but subject to restricted access pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 415.
How Long Does Will County Keep Court Records?
Will County maintains court records according to retention schedules established by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois State Records Act (5 ILCS 160/). These schedules vary by case type and document classification:
Felony Criminal Cases:
- Capital cases: Permanent retention
- Other felonies: 75 years after final disposition
- Probation records: 10 years after discharge
Misdemeanor Criminal Cases:
- DUI cases: 25 years after final disposition
- Other misdemeanors: 10 years after final disposition
- Court supervision cases: 5 years after successful completion
Civil Litigation:
- Major civil cases (damages over $50,000): 20 years after final disposition
- Small claims: 10 years after final disposition
- Evictions: 7 years after final disposition
Family Court Records:
- Divorce/dissolution: Permanent retention
- Child support: Until youngest child reaches 23 years of age
- Orders of protection: 7 years after expiration
Probate Matters:
- Wills and estate administration: Permanent retention
- Guardianships: 10 years after termination of guardianship
- Mental health proceedings: 20 years after case closure
Pursuant to § 4 of the Local Records Act (50 ILCS 205/4), no court records may be destroyed without authorization from the Local Records Commission. The Will County Circuit Clerk must submit applications for disposal of expired records to this commission annually.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical documents. The Electronic Commerce Security Act (5 ILCS 175/) establishes that electronically stored records satisfy retention requirements provided they remain accessible and unaltered throughout the mandated retention period.
Types of Courts In Will County
Will County's court system operates within Illinois' unified court structure as part of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. The county hosts several court divisions, each with specific jurisdictional authority:
Will County Circuit Court - Main Courthouse
100 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Will County Circuit Court
This main courthouse houses multiple divisions:
Criminal Division
Handles felony prosecutions, criminal appeals from lower courts, and post-conviction proceedings.
Civil Division
Adjudicates civil disputes exceeding $50,000, administrative reviews, tax matters, and equity proceedings.
Family Division
Oversees divorce, child custody, support, adoption, and domestic violence cases.
Probate Division
Manages estate administration, guardianships, and mental health proceedings.
Will County Branch Courts:
Joliet Branch Court
57 N. Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 724-3800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monee Branch Court
25850 S. Governors Highway
Monee, IL 60449
(708) 534-3760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Branch courts primarily handle traffic violations, ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and small claims cases.
The Illinois court hierarchy places the Circuit Court as the trial court of general jurisdiction. Appeals from Will County Circuit Court decisions are heard by the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, located in Ottawa, Illinois. Final appeals are directed to the Illinois Supreme Court in Springfield.
What Types of Cases Do Will County Courts Hear?
Will County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters pursuant to jurisdictional authority granted by the Illinois Constitution (Article VI) and the Illinois Compiled Statutes. The case distribution among the county's courts is as follows:
Circuit Court - Criminal Division:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Criminal appeals from lower courts
- Post-conviction relief proceedings
- Extradition hearings
- Grand jury proceedings
- Bond hearings
- Specialty courts (Drug Court, Veterans Court, Mental Health Court)
Circuit Court - Civil Division:
- Civil litigation exceeding $50,000
- Administrative review of government agency decisions
- Tax objections and property tax appeals
- Chancery matters (injunctions, specific performance)
- Eminent domain proceedings
- Medical malpractice and product liability cases
- Commercial litigation and contract disputes
Circuit Court - Family Division:
- Divorce and marriage dissolution
- Child custody and parenting time determinations
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Paternity determinations
- Adoption proceedings
- Orders of protection and domestic violence matters
- Juvenile abuse and neglect cases
Circuit Court - Probate Division:
- Estate administration
- Will contests
- Guardianships (minors and disabled adults)
- Conservatorships
- Mental health commitments
- Elder law matters
Branch Courts:
- Traffic violations
- Ordinance violations
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Small claims (civil disputes under $10,000)
- Eviction proceedings
- Name changes
- Civil orders of protection
According to § 5/1-6 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/1-6), venue for most civil actions in Will County is proper when the transaction or some part thereof occurred in the county or when the defendant resides or does business in the county.
How To Find a Court Docket In Will County
Court dockets in Will County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public may access these dockets through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Will County Circuit Clerk's website
- Select "Case Information" from the main navigation
- Choose search method (case number, party name, attorney)
- Enter required search criteria
- Review docket entries showing filing dates, document titles, and court actions
Daily Court Call: The Will County Court Call is published each business day and lists:
- Cases scheduled for hearing
- Assigned courtrooms and judges
- Hearing types and scheduled times
- Attorney appearances
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the Circuit Clerk's Office Records Department
- Request docket information by case number or party name
- Staff will provide printouts of docket sheets for a nominal fee
Will County Circuit Clerk's Office
100 W. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-8592
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For upcoming court dates, the Illinois Courts Statewide Case Management System provides a centralized calendar. Attorneys registered with the system receive automatic notifications of scheduled proceedings in their cases.
Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 21(c), each circuit court must maintain a comprehensive docketing system that "provides for a permanent record of all court proceedings." Will County's electronic docketing system fulfills this requirement while providing public access to non-confidential case information.
Which Courts in Will County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Illinois, the distinction between "courts of record" and "courts not of record" was largely eliminated by the Judicial Article of 1964, which established a unified court system. Currently, all courts operating within Will County are courts of record, meaning they maintain official transcripts and documentation of proceedings that can serve as the basis for appeals.
Prior to this constitutional revision, Illinois maintained justice of the peace courts and police magistrate courts that functioned as courts not of record. These were abolished and their functions absorbed into the Circuit Court system.
While all Will County courts are courts of record, certain administrative hearings conducted by county and municipal agencies are not considered judicial proceedings and therefore are not courts of record:
- Local municipal code enforcement hearings
- Administrative adjudication of parking violations
- Zoning board appeals
- Property tax assessment review proceedings
- County ethics commission hearings
These administrative proceedings typically maintain records but lack the formal court reporting and procedural requirements of judicial courts. Appeals from these administrative bodies are directed to the Will County Circuit Court through administrative review actions pursuant to the Administrative Review Law (735 ILCS 5/Art. III).
According to § 1-104 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/1-104), the circuit courts have "original jurisdiction of all justiciable matters," establishing them as the courts of record for all judicial proceedings within Will County.
Lookup Court Records in Will County
Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Records