McLean County Felony Records

McLean County felony records are maintained by the Circuit Clerk in Bloomington, Illinois. With about 170,000 residents, McLean County is the largest county in Illinois by land area and one of the most populated in central Illinois. The county sits in the 11th Judicial Circuit. The clerk's office at 104 West Front Street handles all felony filings, bond records, docket entries, sentencing orders, and court documents. McLean County offers its own Public Access search system for criminal cases, in addition to Judici. This page explains how to find felony records here, what fees you will pay, and which state laws control access.

McLean County Circuit Clerk Office

Donald R. Everhart, Jr. is the Circuit Clerk for McLean County. His office manages all criminal case files, including felony charges, bond paperwork, docket entries, hearing schedules, and sentencing records. The office is in Room 404 at 104 West Front Street in Bloomington. Call 309/888-5301 to check on a case or ask about what you need to submit a records request.

McLean County is part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Livingston and Woodford counties. Bloomington is the county seat and the largest city. The courthouse handles a high volume of felony cases each year, given the county's population. As the home of both Bloomington and Normal, the county sees more court activity than most other counties in the circuit.

McLean County Felony Records Online Search

McLean County stands out from many Illinois counties because it runs its own Public Access criminal case search. This system includes open cases from 2008 to the present and closed civil cases going back ten years. You can search by name, case number, or date range. It is free and does not need an account. For more details on what is available, check the McLean County Court Records Search page.

McLean County also participates in Judici, the free statewide case search tool used by many Illinois counties. Select McLean County, type a name or case number, and the system returns docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case status. Having two separate online search tools gives you a better chance of finding what you need.

The statewide re:SearchIL repository may have some McLean County documents too. Run by Tyler Technologies, it collects court filings from many Illinois courts. None of these tools replaces the full paper case file. Under the Illinois Supreme Court's Electronic Access Policy, certain filings require in-person viewing.

On Judici, use four-digit years for case numbers. Enter 2024CF0200 rather than 24CF0200.

McLean County Record Copy Fees

McLean County follows the statewide fee schedule for copies. The first page is $2.00. Pages two through nineteen cost $0.50 each. Pages twenty and beyond are $0.25 per page. Certified copies add $6.00 per certification seal on top of copying costs.

Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the McLean County Circuit Clerk. Give the case number or the defendant's full name. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps get papers back to you. Walk-in requests are handled at the counter during business hours. Name searches through the clerk's index run $6.00 per year searched.

State Law and McLean County Felonies

All felony arrests in McLean County are reported to the Illinois State Police Bureau of Identification in Joliet. The Criminal Identification Act (20 ILCS 2630) requires this from every law enforcement agency in the state. Fingerprints and arrest data go into a central database that holds over five million records.

Given the size of Bloomington and Normal, McLean County sees a wide range of felony charges each year. Sentencing follows the Unified Code of Corrections (730 ILCS 5). Class X felonies carry 6 to 30 years. Class 1 is 4 to 15 years. Class 2 brings 3 to 7 years. Class 3 runs 2 to 5 years. Class 4 is 1 to 3 years. These classifications show up in case records alongside charges and the final outcome.

A statewide conviction search is available from the ISP under the Uniform Conviction Information Act (20 ILCS 2635). The cost is $10 online or $16 by paper. Only convictions are returned. No consent from the subject is needed.

The McLean County Public Access system shows the county's criminal case search portal, which includes open felony cases from 2008 onward.

This is McLean County's own Public Access search page, where you can look up criminal case data including felony filings, charges, and docket entries.

Sealing and Expungement in McLean County

Some McLean County felony records can be sealed or expunged. Sealing removes the record from public view. Police and prosecutors still have access to sealed records. Expungement destroys the record entirely. Not every felony qualifies. Certain Class 3 and Class 4 convictions may be eligible for sealing after a waiting period.

To start the process, file a petition with the McLean County Circuit Court. There is no filing fee for the petition. If the court grants the order, the ISP charges $60 to process it. The Illinois expungement and sealing page explains the eligibility rules and required forms. Email ISP.Expungement.Unit@illinois.gov with questions.

Given the higher volume of cases in McLean County, the clerk's office may take longer to process expungement orders compared to smaller counties. Plan ahead and allow extra time if you need the record cleared by a certain date.

The McLean County Circuit Clerk webpage provides information about available court record services, including how to request copies and search for felony case data.

FOIA and McLean County Felony Cases

Illinois courts are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Court records follow separate rules set by the judiciary. However, the McLean County Sheriff, Bloomington Police Department, Normal Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies are subject to FOIA. You can submit a written request for arrest reports, incident logs, and similar documents.

For free legal help with records questions, Illinois Legal Aid has guides on getting copies of criminal records and understanding your rights under Illinois law.

Cities in McLean County

McLean County includes two cities with their own felony records pages. Both Bloomington and Normal are in this county, and their felony cases are filed through the McLean County Circuit Clerk.

Counties Near McLean County

McLean County is in the heart of central Illinois. These neighboring counties each have their own circuit clerk and felony records.